MEDICARE PART D: PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE

Keeping Your ‘EXTRA HELP’

If you qualified to receive ‘extra help' in 2006, you may receive a letter for “redeeming” or possible continuation of ‘extra help' in 2007. Letters were sent for ‘redetermination' to:

• Verify current status (15-days)
• Identify changes in status (30-days)
• Question reporting for eligibility (90 days)

* deadline for sending all letters was October 31

It is extremely important that you respond within the number of days specified in the letter to the questions asked. If ‘extra help' is lost, you will need to enroll in another prescription drug plan before the end of the Open Enrollment Period (November 15 to December 31).

Some receiving ‘extra help' are given only one chance to change plans. Be sure that you do not drop a plan one day and enroll in another plan the another day. The best way to drop a plan is to enroll in another plan online which will automatically drop you from the previous plan. At no time can you be enrolled in more than one Medicare Prescription Drug Insurance plan.

Keeping ‘Extra Help' Costs Low

There are 15 plans designated for South Dakotans receiving full ‘extra help' to pay $0 premium:

•  Fox Rx Care Choice Plan ($28.70)

•  Health Net Orange – Option 1 ($24.30)

•  Health Net Orange – Option 2 ($29)

•  Health Spring PDP – Reg 25 ($26.50)

•  Humana PDP Standard ($10.60)

•  Community Care Rx Basic ($24.50)

•  Prescription Pathway Bronze ($25)

•  Advantage Star Plan by Rx America ($25.60)

•  Silverscript ($22.60)

•  Medicare Rx Rewards Value ($19.40)

•  AARP Medicare Rx ($20.10)

•  WellCare Classic ($18.80)

•  WellCare Signature ($26.80)

•  MedicareBlue Rx Option 1 ($21.50)

Full Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries pay no premium as long as they choose one of the above prescription drug plans. If a plan not on the list is chosen, they pay a pro-rated premium.

Changes in the Standard Benefit for ‘Extra Help' Beneficiaries are:

More Information

Important Dates
Get Help
Already Enrolled or Not Taking Prescription Drugs
Getting ‘Extra Help' — qualifications & application
Keeping Your ‘Extra Help'
Two Types of Prescription Drugs Plans
Personalized Prescription Drug Insurance Coverage
Plan Finder Comparison Tool
Plan Restrictions
Bar Graphs of Monthly Costs
Payment of Premiums
Enrollment — with and without penalty
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