Taking the URBAN CALL STAFF REPORT
mystery out of the Medicare program
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t’s a whole new world in the Medicare program. “For the first time ever, everyone with Medicare, regardless of income, health status, or preMedicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) scription drug usage, will have access to pre- Plans: Plans that combine prescription drug coverage with hosscription drug coverpital and doctor benefits. These age,” notes the govern- offer more benefits than the original Medicare plan. ment’s Medicare Internet site (www.medicare.gov). The program is called Medicare Part D. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that runs the Medicare program and works with each state to run their Medicaid programs. Medicare Part D is unique because it cannot be purchased directly from the government. Only private insurance companies provide the coverage — a standard plan or one with more features. There are two ways to purchase a Medicare prescription drug plan from a private company: ■ A stand alone Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) ■ A Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD) The stand alone Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) provides only prescription drug coverage and is
Ronald Williams
Aetna Chairman
Joseph Swofford, Joseph Swafford,M.D. M.D. Melba Swofford, Melba Swafford,M.D. M.D.
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Advisory Board Members
The ABC’s of Medicare 7 Kelvin Boston
Inside...
typically used with original Medicare. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan from a private company with Medicare prescription drug coverage, you’ll also have coverage for doctors’ visits and hospital care. This is known as a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan.
Boston Media
Is Medicare Part D for you?
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What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?
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Health Associations
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If you have Medigap: A Medicare Medicare but obtain Supplement Plan offered by priyour prescription vate companies that helps pay for drugs through selected benefits not covered by Medicaid, you would original Medicare. have been automatiOutpatient care: Services given cally enrolled in a outside a hospital. prescription drug Senior: Social Security defines a plan by the govern“senior” as one who has reached ment. If you’re not 65. satisfied with the plan you’re in, you have the option to choose a new plan at any time. And what if you’re healthy? The likelihood increases as you age of needing medications to remain healthy. Selecting new Medicare prescription drug coverage means protection from the unexpected. Congress intended for the new prescription drug insurance to be just that — insurance — immediate relief for those burdened with high medication bills today and insurance protection against those costs tomorrow.
See “Best value in Medicare plans cover hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage” on page 5.
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