| Researching Medicare Drug Plans (NAPSA)Q: I currently have high drug costs, due to several pre-existing conditions. Am I still eligible for Medicare’s prescription drug plan? A: Yes. If you are eligible for Medicare, you are eligible for prescription drug coverage regardless of your drug costs. In fact, the Medicare Part D planis especially important for you because you have high medication costs. Those with the highest drug costs will experience the greatest savings. Q: I’m happy with the plan I now have. Do I need to renew it? A: No. If yow’re happy with the plan you now have, and have no interest in switching to another plan, you need do nothing. Your coverage will continue as before in 2007. Your plan provider will notify you by mail if there will be changes in cost or coverage for 2007. Q: I’ve heard about plans that cover the gap. Are these superior plans? A: Not necessarily. Plans that offer seamless coverage are recommended for those seniors who expect to exceed $2,400 in prescription drug costs in 2007. Only 8 percent of the seniors enrolled in Medicare are expected to exceed that cost in 2006, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. If you do not anticipate spending at least $2,400 for medication in 2007, then regardless of the plan you choose, you will experience no interruption in coverage. Q: Pm not sure howto calculate my drug costs for the year. Is there assistance available? A: You can determine which plan best suits you by calculating your personal medication costs for 2007. You can receive assistance from the Medicare Plan Finder, a helpful online tool that includes a monthly calculator. The Plan Finder and monthly calculator can be found at www.Medicare.gov. Answers are provided by Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association ofArea Agencies on Aging.
