Text 2595, 145 rader
Skriven 2006-05-09 23:34:44 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0605097) for Tue, 2006 May 9
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Setting the Record Straight: USA Today's Misleading Medicare Story
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For Immediate Release
May 9, 2006

Setting the Record Straight: USA Today's Misleading Medicare Story


ÿÿÿÿÿ In Focus: Medicare ÿÿÿÿÿ Setting the Record Straight

Millions Of Minorities Are Enrolling In Medicare Drug Coverage

USA Today Claims "Poor, Often Minority" Medicare Beneficiaries Are Not
Enrolling In Medicare Drug Coverage. "While millions of seniors and people
with disabilities are signing up and saving money, the program is being
used least by those who could benefit most: poor, often minority Medicare
beneficiaries." (Richard Wolf, "Those Most In Need May Miss Drug Benefit
Sign-up," USA Today, 5/9/06)

But By April, More Than 70 Percent Of Eligible African Americans, More Than
70 Percent Of Eligible Hispanics, And More Than 75 Percent Of Eligible
Asian Americans Are Enrolled Or Have Retiree Drug Coverage.
  þ And More Than 9 Million Medicare Beneficiaries Have Other Forms Of
    Coverage. Altogether, more than 9 million Medicare beneficiaries (over
    20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries) - have coverage from sources
    including Tricare, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
    program, the Veterans Administration or other forms of creditable
    coverage.

Low Income Beneficiaries Who Qualify For Medicare's Limited-Income Subsidy
(LIS) After May 15 Will Be Able To Enroll With No Penalty. About 3 million
beneficiaries who have not yet enrolled are eligible for the LIS. A
one-time opportunity using a special enrollment period will enable these
beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan immediately
after they become eligible for the limited-income subsidy, even if this is
after May 15. The extra help available through the LIS allows for
comprehensive and valuable drug coverage - in most cases costing
beneficiaries a few dollars for every prescription.

Medicare Is Aggressively Reaching Out To All Eligible Beneficiaries

USA Today Says Most Eligible Beneficiaries Who Have Not Yet Enrolled
"Haven't Been Reached." (Richard Wolf, "Those Most In Need May Miss Drug
Benefit Sign-up," USA Today, 5/9/06)

But The President Met Directly With Leaders Of Senior, Disability, And
Minority Groups At The White House On March 14 To Discuss Strategies For
Reaching All Seniors. The President met with organizations including the
National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the National Council on Aging
(NCOA), the NAACP, the AARP, Seniors Health Insurance Information Program
(SHIIP), and the National Baptist Convention.

Medicare Is Continuing To Work With Many Groups To Reach Hispanic Seniors
Across Our Nation. The Administration Is Working With the National Alliance
for Hispanic Health, the Hispanic Business Roundtable, the National
Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders. The Administration has
also reached out through public-service announcements on Univision,
Telemundo, and Spanish radio. As a result, we are getting hundreds of
enrollments each day through 1-800-MEDICARE and the National Alliance's "Su
Familia" helpline.
  þ Over 600 Enrollment Events Have Been Held In Spanish. These events have
    been held in conjunction with Medicare's thousands of Hispanic
    community grassroots partners and national partners, including the
    National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the National Association for
    Hispanic Elderly, and the National Hispanic Council on Aging.

  þ Tomorrow, President Bush Will Participate In A Hispanic Medicare
    Outreach Event In Orlando, Florida. "The president's quick stop at the
    Asociacion Borinquena de Florida Central could get the attention of
    many Hispanic elders who qualify for new drug benefits but have not
    applied for them as a May 15 deadline nears." (Victor Manuel Ramos,
    "Club To Welcome President," Sun-Sentinel [Ft. Lauderdale, FL], 5/9/06)

Medicare's Partners In The African American Community Have Sponsored
Numerous Events To Both Educate And Enroll African Americans. These
partners include the National Medical Association, the National Council on
Black Aged, the NAACP, the national fraternity and sorority organizations,
and the many leaders in the faith based community.

Medicare Is Taking Steps To Reach The Asian American Community. To reach
the Asian American community, Medicare sponsored telephone lines in
conjunction with the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging in three
languages: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese. To date, over 28,000 Asian American
beneficiaries have received personalized assistance through these help
lines, which have been advertised broadly in their communities. In April,
President Bush and Secretary Chao participated in an Asian American
outreach event in Annandale, Virginia.

Medicare Drug Coverage Is Helping Low-Income Beneficiaries

The Families USA Report Cited By USA Today Claims "The Poorest Of The Poor
... Have Worse Drug Coverage Today Than They Had Before The New Medicare
Part D Program Began In January." (Families USA, "The Medicare Drug Program
Fails to Reach Low-Income Seniors," May 2006)

But Medicare Provides Extra Help For Beneficiaries With Limited Income And
Resources. About a third of seniors are eligible for prescription drug
coverage that includes little or no premiums, low deductibles, and no gaps
in coverage. On average, Medicare will pay for more than 95 percent of the
costs of prescription drugs for low-income seniors.

The Families USA Report Incorrectly Suggests That Medicare Beneficiaries
Previously Receiving Drug Coverage Under Medicaid ("Full-Benefit Dual
Eligibles") Will Not Be Helped By The Change To Part D Drug Coverage.
(Families USA, "The Medicare Drug Program Fails to Reach Low-Income
Seniors," May 2006)

But All Full-Benefit Dual Eligibles Get Comprehensive Drug Coverage And
Millions Of Full-Benefit Dual Eligibles Are Better Off Because:

  þ They Have Access To Plans That Are Required To Have Broad Drug Lists
    (Formularies) Which Are More Extensive In Many States Than The
    "Preferred Drug Lists" Used By Many States. For example, all drugs for
    mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and immune-related conditions are covered.

  þ They Are No Longer Subject To Restrictions On The Number Of
    Prescriptions They Can Fill. One in four states has restrictions in
    their Medicaid program on the number of prescriptions covered each
    month.

  þ They Are Protected From Any Out-Of-Pocket Expenses (Even The $1 And $3
    Copays) When Total Drug Spending On Their Behalf Exceeds $5,100 A Year.
    With an average cost of $100 per prescription, this would occur after
    51 prescriptions and a total beneficiary expense for the year of only
    around $100.

  þ They Are No Longer Subject To Intermittent Eligibility Because Of
    Monthly "Spend Down" And Eligibility Determination Requirements. Part D
    gives these beneficiaries full continuity of their coverage throughout
    the year.

  þ Some States Are Using A Portion Of Their Savings From Medicaid To Pay
    The $1 Or $3 Drug Copayments For Dually Eligible Beneficiaries. This
    means the state has savings, and beneficiaries have the same or lower
    copays than before.

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