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February 2006 Vol. 25. No. 2
Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.
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Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues Table of Contents
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Ask HICAP - Medicare drug plans roll out
by Anne Antoville In January, beneficiaries who have Medicare and also have Medi-Cal were required to use the new Medicare drug plans to get their medication. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services had required that all Medicare prescription drug plans to have a transition plan in place for people with Medi-Cal to make sure their medications were covered at the Medi-Cal co-pay level of $1 for generic and $3 for brand-name drugs. When the plans rolled out in January, HICAP received calls from a number of beneficiaries with the following problems:
Similar reports were coming into HICAP offices across the state. These and other reports prompted the governor to authorize Medi-Cal to pay for emergency supplies of medication. Many states had similar measures. What to do if you are having a problem with your Medicare drug plan If you still have not received your card, you need to call your plan and get your four ID numbers - member ID, RxBin, RxGroup and PCN. If you are unable to call your plan, call HICAP for help. If you have Medi-Cal and have been charged a co-pay of more than $3 at the pharmacy, ask your pharmacy to re-bill your plan. If this is unsuccessful, call HICAP for help. If you are having any enrollment problems you can call HICAP for help. Although there will be a wait to get a call back for a HICAP appointment, staff is handling emergency calls immediately. Medicare drug plans in February If you have Medicare with Medi-Cal and you have not checked to make sure that your plan covers your drugs, you will have to pay full price for any drugs that are not on the plan formulary. You can change plans once per month if you have Medi-Cal. You can change plans by calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or contact HICAP for assistance. You can reach HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, in Humboldt County at 444-3000 and in Del Norte County at 464-7876. Anne Antoville is HICAP manager for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. |
Senior News