FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     CONTACT:  Nanette SchimpfJune 19, 2006                                               850-224-0174  

NEARLY 1.7 MILLION FLORIDIANS NOW HAVE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE THROUGH MEDICARE

     Government announces final enrollment numbers

 Tallahassee, FL  — Some 1,648,843 Floridians now have prescription drug coverage through Medicare, according to final-enrollment numbers recently released by the federal government. This number includes those signed up for stand-alone prescription drug plans and for Medicare managed care plans that include prescription coverage.

Of Florida’s approximately 3,094,899 Medicare beneficiaries, about 78.1 percent (2,417,835) now have some kind of drug coverage. Nationally, 90 percent of people with Medicare (38.2 million beneficiaries) now have drug coverage.

“The enrollment numbers have exceeded expectations. The new Medicare prescription drug program offers savings and security, and Medicare beneficiaries are satisfied with the benefit,” says Gwen Cooper, president of Community Health Charities of Florida.

The Medicare Rx Access Network of Florida is reminding the thousands of Floridians who may be eligible but have not applied for the benefit’s low-income subsidy that they can still apply between now and Nov. 15 (when the next open-enrollment period begins) for extra help with paying for the coverage. If they qualify for the low-income subsidy, they are offered a special enrollment opportunity to enroll for coverage to begin right away and they will not be subject to a late-enrollment penalty.

“Reaching out to beneficiaries in Florida who may be eligible for the low-income subsidy has been no small task,” says Gwen Cooper.  “There is help available for those who wish to find out if they qualify.”

Beneficiaries who wish to find out if they qualify for the low-income subsidy can get assistance by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

To obtain the Medicare agency’s final, state-by-state enrollment data, log onto http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/02_EnrollmentData.asp#TopOfPage 

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Currently, there are 169 member organizations participating in the Medicare Rx Access Network of Florida that represent seniors, patients, people with disabilities and chronic diseases, pharmacists, healthcare providers and businesses. The network provides information and assistance with outreach and education for the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Members share an interest in educating Medicare beneficiaries about the new Medicare prescription drug benefit and work closely with the appropriate agencies to obtain up-to-date information to ensure that information disseminated by the network about Medicare Part D is factual and accurately conveyed and to equip beneficiaries and their caregivers to make informed choices. By sharing information with each other about member organizations’ independent efforts, collaborating on activities, and identifying ways to work together, the network aims to eliminate duplication of efforts and maximize the effectiveness of outreach efforts. The network does not engage in legislative activities or take positions on pending legislative or administrative policies related to the Part D benefit and its implementation. The Medicare Rx Access Network of Florida is part of the national Medicare Rx Education Network, which is chaired by former U.S. Senator John Breaux.