TIPS For Families

Everyone with Medicare is eligible for the Medicare prescription drug coverage.  Everyone with Medicare must make a decision about their drug coverage.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Insurance covers both brand name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area.  The drug benefit is voluntary.  No one has to sign up for it.  But, it is important to know that you will pay a one percent higher premium for the average premium in your area (approximately $2.25 per month) for each month you delay signing up after May 15, 2006 or after the first six months you are eligible for Medicare.  The higher premium does not apply if the drug coverage you had from another source is lost and it was at least as good as the Medicare Drug Benefit. That is why it is so important to become informed about the new benefit and take your time in making a decision about whether the benefit is right for you. 

You can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan in the following ways:

• By paper application.  Contact the company offering the drug plan you choose and ask for an application.  Once you fill out the form, mail or fax it back to the company.
• On the plan=s website.  Visit the drug plan company=s website.  You may be able to join online.
• On this website.  You will also be able to join a drug plan at www.medicare.gov by using Medicare=s online enrollment center.  More information is available through this online tool, the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder.
• You can join a drug plan by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and talking to a Medicare customer service representative. TTY users should call 1-877-487-2048.

After you have worked on finding out more about the Medicare Part D plan that best suits your needs by clicking on the TIPS Feedback Form link below and tell us how you used this information in your family. For more information on Medicare Part D go to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln publication website at www.ianrpub.unl.edu and click on Families.