| Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster would like to remind all seniors on or eligible for Medicare to call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to www.medicare.gov starting tomorrow to sign up for the Prescription Drug Plan. Starting November 15, 2005 and ending May 15, 2006 will be open enrollment and seniors can choose which coverage is best for them.
“This plan offers real savings and I encourage all seniors eligible for Medicare to call to find out how it can help them,” said Shuster, a member of the Rural Health Care Coalition in Congress. “The new plan will help seniors, many on limited or tight budgets, save money by providing them with choices and they can pick the plan that works best for them.”
Many seniors have already received their “Medicare and You” handbook in the mail listing all the options available. Before calling 1-800-MEDICARE or going to www.medicare.gov seniors should prepare a list of the medicines they take and the details of their current prescription drug coverage.
“There are seniors across central and western Pennsylvania that are eligible to save and they may not know it,” Shuster added. “I encourage seniors to call and I encourage others who may know someone eligible to help them get in touch with Medicare. I also want people to know that my offices – in Franklin, Blair, Somerset and Indiana – are available to assist seniors during this process.”
Medicare’s new comprehensive prescription drug plan will begin January 1, 2006, but the deadline to sign up is May 15, 2006. Remember, those who do not sign up by May 15 will be assessed a penalty.
Another recommended and useful contact is APRISE, which is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help Pennsylvanians age 60 and older. APRISE can be reached at 1-800-783-7067. The toll free number to Shuster’s office is 1-800-854-3035. Seniors are encouraged to call with questions and concerns they might have. |
