New Medicare Prescription Drug Program

Article submitted by Vivian Wyre at the Social Security Administration.
For more information, she can be reached at 239-931-0113 ext.1256 or by e-mail: VivIan.wyrB@ssa.gov.

In January 2006, a new Medicare Prescription Drug Program will provide a prescription drug benefit to seniors and persons with disabilities who have Medicare Coverage. Social Security's role under the new law will be to inform current Medicare beneficiaries about the help with prescription drugs, assist them in filing applications for help, and then make eligibility decisions on those who have applied.

We Need Your Help! We are looking for ways to plan effective events and activities that will promote enrollment in this new program. We can train your staff to take the applications and submit them to Social Security. While prescription drug coverage is not effective until January 1, 2006, we want to proactively market filing for the help.

Some Ways You Can help Us:

• Provide the names of the key players in your organization who can work with us to plan an outreach strategy
• Allow us to participate in any events you are planning in upcoming months
• Help us plan, participate and hold events on new prescription drug benefit
• Include information and copies of the application form in your communications
• Recommend other organizations that we can contact about the Medicare subsidy