President Bush calls this program "The greatest advance in health care for seniors and Americans with disabilities since the creation of Medicare". He is correct!

For 40 years Seniors have complained that Medicare does not have prescription drug coverage. Well it does now, and it's excellent!

While some find the vast number of plans confusing, the competition has forced insurers to lower prices and provide more generous benefits.

With 55 plans to choose from in California for 2007, there's something for everyone.

The typical beneficiary can expect to pay about half of what he would pay without any prescription drug coverage.
Many people will pay less because the Federal Government is spending about $678 billion over 10 years to subsidize the cost of their drugs.

Most importantly a good Part "D" Plan will protect you from dramatic increases in your drug costs if more prescriptions are needed later in life. Do not just consider your present prescription needs, choose a plan that can also
handle your future drug requirements!

Select plans with more than 90 of the top 100 prescriptions on their formulary.
This will eliminate 75% of the plans!
Then eliminate plans with deductibles.
From the remainder select the plans that cover your present prescriptions.
Check to see whether your Brand Name prescriptions are classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3,
because you might find that low monthly premiums are offset by high co-pays!
Avoid plans that require your doctors to get "Prior Authorization" for your drugs.

Millions of people who had no prescription drug coverage are now able to live to a higher standard due to the reduction in their drug bills.
Those who consulted experts and selected a plan tailored to their specific needs enjoyed massive savings.
People not yet on Medicare will be allowed to purchase a plan when they qualify for Medicare.
For those already on Medicare , the next open enrollment period begins November 15.

MEDICARE: OVER 38 MILLION NOW RECEIVING Rx COVERAGE

PR Newswire -

June 14: Washington - HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced that 38.2 million people with Medicare are now receiving comprehensive prescription drug coverage, in many cases even better coverage than they ever had before. A surge in enrollment took place in the closing weeks of the enrollment period, with more than 2 million beneficiaries signing up between May 1 and the May 15th deadline.

"Introduction of the Medicare prescription drug benefit created an unprecedented opportunity and a breathtaking challenge," Secretary Leavitt said. "The challenge has been met, and today, for over 38 million Americans - 90 percent of people with Medicare the promise is being fulfilled, day in and day out, prescription by prescription. In fact, more than 3.5 million Part D prescriptions are being filled each day and the cost of monthly plan premiums is nearly 40 percent lower than original estimates."

The average premium in 2006 for beneficiaries, not counting retiree coverage, is less than $24. In addition, 87 percent of beneficiaries chose plans other than the standard benefit, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

"With help from thousands of partners across the country, and personalized assistance from 1-800-MEDICARE people with Medicare and their family members were able to get the drug coverage they prefer at a far lower cost than expected," said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "Thanks to Medicare beneficiaries making informed choices to meet their needs, the costs of Medicare drug coverage are way down and we will continue to support effective competition to provide high- quality, low-cost coverage."

About 87 percent of all beneficiaries who enrolled in a prescription drug plan chose a plan that offers coverage other than the standard benefit, such as no deductibles or coverage in the "donut hole." Most beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are also getting more comprehensive drug coverage than in the standard plan. In addition, almost 10 million low-income beneficiaries are getting comprehensive drug coverage for little or no cost.