For the Most Needy, A Tough Switch
Unbelievably, the new Medicare Part D plan will nicely screw those who most need their medications.
What I’m having a hard time understanding is why more people aren’t up in arms about these changes. “It doesn’t affect me.” Fine, …
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While I agree that the transition has been confusing, it’s not as bad as it could be. I work with the mentally ill population in rural Pennsylvania who are being affected by this change, and those who are dual were automatically enrolled in the extra help program through Social Security that pays for their premiums and keeps their copays low (the average has been $1-5). For most of those in my county, nothing has changed except the card they show at their pharmacy. This program has also been very beneficial for some who qualify for Medicare but who have incomes slighty too high for Medicaid–these people had no prescription coverage at all prior to this change, and now some of their out-of-pocket costs will be deferred. I’m not familiar with how other states are being affected by these changes, nor do I know if it is different for those areas with managed care. I do know that those with whom I work are either not affected or benefited by the change–so it’s confusing but not so bad for some.