Important  Medicare   Changes   Coming !

Seniors !!

       If you have Medicare or will become eligible for Medicare in the next 12 months , a new federal law gives you choices about your prescription drug coverage starting in 2006

       Before making a decision , keep the following in mind :

 *    The new plan offered by the Government is Medicare  Plan  D .It only applies to the prescription drug portion of Medicare benefits .

*      The initial enrollment period begins NOVEMBER 15 th & runsthrough May 15th 2006 . If you do not enroll during this initial period , if you do not have "creditable coverage"  elsewhere , & if you later decide to enroll in PLAN   D  , you will be  assessed a penalty to your premium - and for the entire time you are enrolled in PLAN  D .

*       The Projected initial premium for PART  D will be in the range of $32 to $37 per person per month .

There  will be a $250 annual deductible . After the deductible , there will be cost sharing of 25 % of the next $200 in prescription drug cost{$ 500 from your pocket } .

           Retired and soon-to-retire members should obtain a detailed cost analysis of their annual presription cost as part  of budget planning !!

CONTACT THESE AGENCIES & ORGANIZATIONS for Medicare advice !

Medicare : 1-800633-4227 or www.medicare.gov

Pennsylvania Health Law Project :

1-800-274-3558 or www.phlp.org

Center for Advocacy for the rights & interest of the elderly :

215-545-5728 or www.carie.org

Community Legal services elderly Law Project {low Income - Philadelphia Residents ( 215-227-2400 )

APPRISE , ahealth - insurance counseling program for Pennsylvanians :

1-800-783-7067

Delware Edler Info :

1-800-336-9500        302-739-6266