Are you spending a lot for your prescription drugs
---even with Part D?  Prescription Advantage can help!

By: Linda Slota

Director, Webster MA Senior Center
August 9, 2006

Medicare s new prescription drug program has been a huge benefit for many seniors across the country, saving some up to hundreds of dollars each month on their prescriptions drugs. However, even with these savings, seniors may still have high out-of-pocket costs.

The Part D premium in Massachusetts ranges from $7.32 to $65.58 per month, depending on the plan chosen. Many plans also have deductibles up to $250 a year. Beyond those costs, there are drug co-payments. And, individuals, whose drug costs reach $2,250 (the so-called doughnut hole ), will now pay 100% of the drug costs until they have spent $2,850.

Fortunately for seniors living in Massachusetts, Prescription Advantage, the state s pharmacy assistance program, can help reduce these expenses. As a secondary payer to Part D, Prescription Advantage wraps around or supplements Medicare drug plans by helping to pay for co-payments, deductibles and other coverage gaps. Those with limited income may also be eligible to receive help paying for their Medicare Part D plan premiums.

Unlike other supplemental plans Prescription Advantage requires no monthly premium and the plan limits annual out-of-pocket expenditures on the amount members pay towards their prescription drugs.

For seniors who do not have Medicare Part D, but have prescription drug coverage through an employer or union, Prescription Advantage also provides secondary benefits.

Prescription Advantage will be holding an Open Enrollment from September 15 to November 15. Enrollment forms can be obtained by calling prescription Advantage Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) or TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-877-610-0241,

Don t miss this opportunity to further reduce your prescription drug costs.