New Problems in Medicare Drug Benefit

[Kindigger]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 - Insurers reported government delays in handling applications for Medicare's new prescription drug benefit on Tuesday, and they said the delays could create problems for some beneficiaries when the coverage became available next month.

Because of the delays, insurance executives said, they have not been able to issue identification cards to some who want to enroll, and they cannot guarantee that cards will be sent to all people who sign up before Jan. 1, when the program begins.

On Tuesday, President Bush urged older Americans to sign up for the drug benefit and noted concerns about the complexity of the program. In a brief visit to a retirement community in Springfield, Va., Mr. Bush said it was "a daunting task" for some Medicare beneficiaries to sort through the many new prescription drug plans offered by private insurers. But he said they should sign up for the new coverage because it was "a good deal for our seniors."

Dr. John W. Rowe, the chairman of Aetna, one of the nation's largest insurers, said his company had sent the government information on people who filled out enrollment forms indicating they wanted to obtain drug coverage from Aetna. But, Dr. Rowe said, in many cases, the government has yet to reply and has not verified that the people are eligible, so Aetna has not been able to issue identification cards.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/14/politics/14bush.html?oref=login

Where's Brownie when you need him? :grr:

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I haven't done any research on this new program, but from what

I have heard, it seems to be a good deal for the insurance companies that are offering the coverage. There is also some pressure to get people to sign up for this. If you don't sign up during the initial enrollment period, the premium rate starts to go up 1% per month after the deadline. Does anyone know if there is really a big saving on the drugs or are the pharmacies going to make out big time too?

[ROakes1019]

2. Part D

I had to sign up because our state employees' medical insurance program dropped its prescription plan. I will save over what I would have to pay for the drugs without any coverage but I understand the government is simply paying the insurance companies the difference. In other words, the insurance companies and the drug companies will continue to get their full cost while the insurance companies can change or cancel my plan at any time. I am furious but at the mercy of this outrageous Part D plan passed by Congress. In the end, taxpayers are getting screwed.

How much it will or will not cost the senior depends on what zip code he's in. It's hard to tell anyone in another zip code whether that plan would be good for him. Plus I simply had to drop one of my drugs to keep from going into the donut hole.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I'm going to have to deal with this in a few years. Hope they

have some of the bugs worked out by then. Sounds like a nightmare. Good luck to you.

[SoCalDem]

4. Imagine how much easier it would have been

if every medicare patient just got an immediate 50% discount on every drug they purchased, when they showed their Medicare card.. Those who had a pension plan that was better, could have just continued to use their plan, but the others would have finally had some real relief..

This whole mess was a scam from the get go and it won;t get much better