John Carr, president of the Maine Council of Senior Citizens writes about Medicare D and alternatives! Although the article below references senior citizens, much of it is applicable to people with disabilities. Thank you John for permission to republish here!
Steve Hoad

From the April 24th issue of the "Senior Report" from the Maine Council of Senior Citizens–Alliance for Retired Americans

I am sure that all seniors that haven't signed up for Medicare Part D will be deluged by all of the participating insurance companies and the Bush administration trying to convince everybody that Part D is a great deal. No matter what the Bush Medicare plan claims it still hasn't been proven to be the overall success they say it is.

Remember when seniors were demanding lower prescription drug prices, well they have gone up by 6% in the first quarter of 2006 and, because of Part D, those participating are paying monthly premiums, deductibles and co–pays. Congressman Tom Allen of Maine's 1st Congressional District had a study done by Democratic Congressional staff that found Part D prices were higher than the Veteran's Administration, Canadian and Internet mail service prices being used in his Congressional District. In addition it was recently found that the monthly insurance premium that Part D demands is being counted toward out of pocket cost which means that seniors will get to the so called "donut hole" faster than expected, where all costs will be paid by the participating senior. Well that doesn't surprise me because insurance companies would rather collect premiums than pay benefits.

Before May 15th arrives please make sure you shop for the best price. We have mentioned before in the Senior Report that alternatives to Part D are available. Members of the Maine Council of Senior Citizens–Alliance for Retired Americans are able to use the Pequot mail service, no monthly premiums, no deductibles, no "donut hole" the only cost is a membership fee of $12 per year. For those who qualify for Maine RX Plus they are able to use the Penobscot mail service, PIN–RX. Both programs have discounts comparable to Part D and in many cases the prices are lower.

Part D prices will continue to rise each year, so much so that by 2010 prescription drug prices, including premiums, deductibles and copays, will be so high that most seniors will not be able to afford them. We have to continue to pressure Congress to change the Part D law so that the USA will negotiate prescription drug prices with the drug industry and allow pharmacies and drug wholesalers to purchase their drug supply’s anywhere in the world. We have the power in the voting booth in November 2006 and we have to use it for our needs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE "DOUGHNUT HOLE"
For those not familiar with this term the ARA defines it as "The doughnut hole is the gap in coverage during which Medicare recipients must foot the bill for ALL of their drug costs while also paying an insurance premium, will also grow. In 2006, that gap is between $2,250 and $5,100, but in 2007 it will be between $2,400 and $5,451."

For complete Allen Report:
http://tomallen.house.gov/article.asp?id=522

For lots of information on Part D:
http://www.retiredamericans.org/index.php?tg=articles&topics=72&new=0&newc=
0&PHPSESSID=39f72d6b5a6b1af48a5f5127b0395b71

More Maine specific Part D information from the Maine Office of Elder Services:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/beas/medicared/

ALSO FOR COMPLETE MAINE INFORMATION ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE IN MAINE
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/beas/medbook.htm#mainerxplus

Information on the Maine RX Plus Program For information:
You can contact John Carr directly at jcarrjpc@aol.com

To visit the entire issue go to
http://www.maineaflcio.org/seniors%20report%20index%20past%20issues.htm
where this and previous issues are posted.

For your copy;
Get the MCSC "SENIOR REPORT"
Near the first and again at the middle of each month the MCSC puts out this e-mail information service called "Senior Report." To sign up (free) send an e–mail to MCSC Director Neena Quirion at mcsc@mseaseiu.org