Event Archive
Roundtable discussion focuses on Medicare Part D
Prescription drug program serves local seniors with long-term coverage for medicine
April 30, 2009
Local health and senior citizen advocates came together for a roundtable discussion on the Medicare Part D program at the Muskingum Valley Health Centers. Medicare Part D is a stand-alone prescription drug plan, offered by insurers and other organizations, to people who get services through the original Medicare program.
“We are pleased to help facilitate a discussion around Medicare Part D,” said Lisa M. King, CEO for the Muskingum Valley Health Centers. “It is especially important to bring attention to the lower-income seniors and people with disabilities who may qualify for the low-income subsidy (LIS) in Medicare Part D. Those eligible for the subsidy may enroll in Medicare Part D at any time. The discussion also is a good time to review just how the overall Part D program is working for local seniors.”
In Muskingum County, more than 8,000 people are enrolled in Medicare Part D. More than 2,300 are enrolled in Part D through the LIS plan. The low-income subsidy from Medicare provides financial assistance for beneficiaries who have limited income and resources. Those who are eligible for LIS will get help paying for their monthly premium, yearly deductible, prescription coinsurance and co-payments and no gap in coverage.
According to a recent study, more than 90 percent of “Part D” beneficiaries are satisfied with their plans. However, there are areas in which those helping with Medicare Part D enrollment and education can help fill in the gaps. For example, it is estimated that more than 2,000 people in Muskingum County are eligible for the LIS benefit—which is worth more than $3,900 a year— but have not applied.
The following organizations were represented at today’s roundtable event: the Zanesville office of Congressman Zack Space; Medicare Rx Access Network of Ohio; Muskingum Valley Health Centers; Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks/Ohio Benefit Bank; National Grange; Social Security Administration; Genesis Health Care System; City of Zanesville; United Seniors of Athens County; Morgan County Senior Center.
In addition to the roundtable, the Muskingum Valley Health Center also hosted the Ohio Benefit Bank’s “Express” mobile unit. The OBB is a web-based computer program to connect low and moderate-income Ohioans with access to services such as tax credits and public benefits. Visitors to the “Express” van will work with trained counselors to find out about and enroll in public programs for which they are eligible. |
