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 Preshow #1medicareReturn to index of stories... |
New Hampshire seniors struggle to understand the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. What you need to know about Plan D -- NOW on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello/Intro Medicare Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. For the first time, Medicare is covering the cost of pharmaceutical drugs for seniors. The policy change, effective January 2006, has left millions of seniors wondering how to choose among the dozens of plans that are now available. Outlook's Richard Ager reports on how some New Hampshire seniors are dealing with the change and finding help to make the best choices. |
| Intro Bush Medicare Return to index of stories... |
The new Medicare program is being hailed as the most significant change in health care in 40 years. At a roundtable on Medicare and Prescription Drug Benefits in Virginia--the President told retirees -- the new Medicare program can cut drug costs in half for a typical beneficiary. Despite the dizzying array of options -- He insists -- its a good deal for our seniors. |
| Intro Medicare Conv Return to index of stories... |
Understanding all those Medicare OPTIONS is another matter. Here to help us on that front: Brian Cresta, the New England director for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. He's been acting as Secretary Mike Leavitt's point-man on Medicare Part D, Martha Maynard of the ServiceLink Center in Rochester and Bob Denz of AARP. Welcome. Q BRIAN CRESTA: According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation: Only 35-percent of those over 65 say they UNDERSTAND the new drug benefit. WHY so complicated?? Q MARTHA MAYNARD: You work with seniors trying to figure all this out. How HARD is it for a Medicare beneficiary to CHOOSE a drug plan? ** lot of seniors Overwhelmed by co-pays, deductibles, premiums and formularies? Q How can people get HELP wading through all the details? ** What is Service Link doing? Have your drug bottles in front of you.and Medicare card. Q BOB DENZ: We keep hearing log-on to COMPARE plans. But, seniors weren't brought up with computers. What's the best way to COMPARE all these plans?? Q Need to know if your DRUGS are covered. and if your pharmacy is RECOGNIZED? |
| Medicare Conv. Return to index of stories... |
Q BRIAN CRESTA: Plan D -- may or may not be in your best interest. So, your first decision is whether you should ENROLL. What POINTS should you consider. Q BRIAN CRESTA: The drug benefit starts Jan. 1. Should people RUSH to sign up before that? PENALTY for NOT signing up by May 15th. Q BOB DENZ: Do you need to go out and SHOP for a DRUG plan and buy coverage from an INSURANCE company. Is that how it works -- and do Seniors UNDERSTAND this is INSURANCE they're buying. Q WHAT role is AARP playing when it comes to educating the public ? People all over the country flocking to forums -- where experts present them with complicated formulas. Q MARTHA: ** Should adult-children be PROACTIVE with parents.if they're in a caretaker role. Ask Questions: MOm.have you received anything in the mail on Medicare. what's your plan -- start a dialogue???? Q BRIAN CRESTA: What if you have insurance now -- and don't know if its EQUAL to or BETTER than the standard plan. What should you do??? Co's sending out letters. Q 60% OF large employers say if a retiree signs up for PART-D they'll TERMINATE that person's drug coverage and in many cases all health coverage. IS that WELL KNOWN??? Q If you're already covered -- how do you know if your plan is as GOOD or BETTER than Medicare's. Certificate will enable you to avoid a late-enrollment penalty if you sign up for Plan D later. Q MARTHA: What about those with Dual Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid. For them.Signing up for Part D shifts their coverage. Has there been concerns raised about whether the NEW coverage will be as COMPREHENSIVE? Q BOB DENZ: What about those buying lower-cost drugs from Canada. Some people have decided to stick with lower-cost drugs from Canada instead of the new Medicare drug benefit. Is that wise? Q BRIAN: What if you ENROLL in a plan, and you find out later that it doesn't cover all your drugs, or another plan is cheaper? WHY such a provision?? Q BRIAN CRESTA: What about the DONUT hole we hear so much about. Can you EXPLAIN that. 250-to 2250 insurance pays 75 you pay 25% From 2250 to 5100 you pay 100% after that move on to catastrophic coverage -- Q MARTHA: You're in the trenches with seniors. Have there been problems with the MEDICARE WEBSITE? * Prices, drugs covered and other items have been changing a lot in the past two weeks. Frustrated by the dozens of Medicare drug plans seeking your business? |
| Tag Conversation Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Brian Cresta, Martha Maynard, and Bob Denz - for helping us sort out some of the confusion. For more information on the new drug benefit -- you can log on to the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare. As we mentioned, seniors have until May 15, 2006 to enroll in Part-D without any penalty. As always, best to read the Fine Print Before Signing Up. |
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For the Medicare phone number again and for a link to the website log on to our website, nhptv.org/outlook. Just a reminder, NH Outlook is available online on demand -- we stream ALL our broadcasts. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That concludes this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Thanks for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. We'll see you next time. |
| key: Health / Health Care Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/14/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 9:05 minutes New Hampshire seniors struggle to understand the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. What you need to know about Plan D, NOW on New Hampshire Outlook. Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. For the first time, Medicare is covering the cost of pharmaceutical drugs for seniors. The policy change, effective January 2006, has left millions of seniors wondering how to choose among the dozens of plans that are now available. Outlook's Richard Ager reports on how some New Hampshire seniors are dealing with the change and finding help to make the best choices. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Anita Oelfke\Medicare Services Counselor; Rick Hoover\Centers for Medicare/Medicaid; Herb Salls\Social Security Administration; Angelo Flore\Londonderry; Rachel Dubois\Mother; Diane Durgin\Daughter |
| key: National Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/14/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 16:15 minutes New Hampshire seniors struggle to understand the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. What you need to know about Plan D, NOW on New Hampshire Outlook. The new Medicare program is being hailed as the most significant change in health care in 40 years. At a roundtable on Medicare and Prescription Drug Benefits in Virginia, the President told retirees the new Medicare program can cut drug costs in half for a typical beneficiary. Despite the dizzying array of options, he insists its a good deal for our seniors. Understanding all those Medicare options is another matter. Here to help us on that front: Brian Cresta, the New England director for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. He's been acting as Secretary Mike Leavitt's point-man on Medicare Part D, Martha Maynard of the ServiceLink Center in Rochester and Bob Denz of AARP. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Brian Cresta\New England Director, Dept. of HHS; Martha Maynard\ServiceLink Counselor; Bob Denz\AARP Executive Council |
| key: Health / Health Care Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/14/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 16:15 minutes New Hampshire seniors struggle to understand the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. What you need to know about Plan D, NOW on New Hampshire Outlook. The new Medicare program is being hailed as the most significant change in health care in 40 years. At a roundtable on Medicare and Prescription Drug Benefits in Virginia, the President told retirees the new Medicare program can cut drug costs in half for a typical beneficiary. Despite the dizzying array of options, he insists its a good deal for our seniors. Understanding all those Medicare options is another matter. Here to help us on that front: Brian Cresta, the New England director for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. He's been acting as Secretary Mike Leavitt's point-man on Medicare Part D, Martha Maynard of the ServiceLink Center in Rochester and Bob Denz of AARP. Welcome. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Brian Cresta\New England Director, Dept. of HHS; Martha Maynard\ServiceLink Counselor; Bob Denz\AARP Executive Council |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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