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Medication News & Update

Confused over the new prescription drug plans? Don't know what to do?

Don't feel alone. Many pharmacist physicians and other healthcare professionals are just as confused. While the government has attempted to provide tools on the website Medicare.gov to help the site itself is just as confusing but is improving daily.

Compounding the problem further is the fact that there will be federal restrictions for the overall plan with respect to which drugs will actually be paid. There will also be limitations on the quantities of certain drugs. Additionally, each plan can create its own formulary and have further restrictions for medications which will be covered. Unraveling the confusion is mind boggling and will take some time. It's not a wonder that a recent report from one of this nation's largest healthcare provider plans is reporting that 1 out of every 15 patients are choosing not to join. We are currently reviewing the plans for Louisiana and anticipate very shortly being able to offer some guidance. Louisiana has 23 different plans and each plan has its own  limitations and exclusions. Some are as many as 60 pages long.  Enrollment begins November 15, 2005. If you choose not to enroll now the premiums could be higher when you enroll at some later date beyond January 1, 2006 which is the date the federal program starts.

If you currently have a health insurance plan that covers your prescription medications then your insurance provider is required by law to evaluate the plans being offered and compare them with their coverage they are currently providing to you. They are further required to send you letter stating whether or not your current coverage is better than enrollment in the federal plan.

What can you do until then?

> Medicare and many of their partners can help you make a confident

     decision about which Medicare plan will work for you. You can call

     1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

> You can also get personalized counseling in your area by calling your local office

      on aging. For the telephone number, visit www.eldercare.gov on the

      web. You can also call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program

       TheLouisiana office phone is provided here: Louisiana 1(800)259-5301

        for a listing of other states see pages 86-88 in the Medicare and You 2006

        Handbook or go to this link: 

        http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf

        and go to the same pages.

>Contact your insurance provider and ask if they can help. 

>If your not sure contact your local pharmacist who regularly fills your medications for

    you, he or she should be willing to provide some guidance.

>Leave us a note by using the "Contact Us" function here on our website. Be sure to

     leave your phone and/or e-mail address and be specific with your question.