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Overview of Medicare prescription drug benefits:

Medicare, the national medical assistance program for seniors and people living with certain disabilities, began helping pay for prescription drug costs Jan. 1, 2006.

People may sign up for the program, known as Medicare Part D, during an open enrollment period at the end of each year from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.

Medicare recipients who do not sign up the first time they are eligible will pay more when they do enroll, with the following exceptions:

This cost increase does not apply to people who get both Medicare and Medicaid, or already have health care coverage that is as good as Medicare. Insured people should have gotten a “creditable coverage” letter saying whether their plan provides similar benefits as Medicare.

Attention seniors: If you’ve gotten such a letter, hold on to it; if not, ask your plan provider about getting one. If you have proof of creditable coverage, you can switch from your current plan to Medicare later with no penalty.

Keep in mind: if you switch to Medicare, you may not be able to switch back to your plan, so you must be sure that adding Medicare does not jeopardize your current coverage, or that Medicare is really a better deal for you.

Seniors may call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) for more information. The line is open 24 hours a day, including weekends. For additional details on Medicare, see www.medicare.gov.

 

Go to the SHIP (Alaska State Health Insurance Assistance Programs) Help Line >

Find a Medicare provider >

Alaska Medicare/Senior Information Office
3601 C Street, Suite 310
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5984
Phone: (907) 269-3680
1-800-478-6065 (statewide)
Fax: (907) 269-4973