Seniors find new drug plan complicated
Some seniors are confused by the paperwork; others are suspicious of the questions.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Mary Pinter would rather paint than read.
If this retiree from Trumbull County had to fill out paperwork for the new Medicare prescription drug plans that will begin Jan. 1, "I would have so many headaches I would have to be hospitalized," said Pinter as she arrived for a watercolor workshop Wednesday morning at Senior Center of Mahoning County in Youngstown.
"I'm just glad I don't have to" enroll, Pinter said. She worked for General Electric for 41 years and likes the company's prescription drug plan that she bought.
"There are too many variables," she said of Medicare Part D forms. "You need an attorney to read this over."
"And even then you don't understand!" added Jo Maruskin of Hubbard, another watercolor class participant.
What it is
Medicare Part D is the program's first attempt to help with prescription drug costs. Participants pay monthly premiums for the coverage unless they have low incomes; then the government will pay those premiums. The enrollment period began Tuesday and ends May 15.
Jude Signoriello is a registered nurse, licensed social worker and program director at Girard Multi-Generational Center. She says a small group of senior citizens -- war veterans, retired state and federal government workers and anyone who worked for a company with a good union -- wouldn't need Medicare's drug plan.
"They have good insurance that is creditable, and Medicare Part D will not be able to match it," she said Wednesday during a health screening at the center.
For the majority of seniors who have no prescription benefits, however, "This is manna from heaven," she added.
The help may be heaven-sent, but getting started can be hellish. Seventeen insurance companies are offering a total of 55 plans; there is no one-size-fits-all option.
"It's confusing, and I've been studying it for eight months," Signoriello said. "You have to find the right price, co-pays, deductibles and that the medicines are covered, so it's like a juggling act."
Not interested
Jaye Harris of Youngstown doesn't want to juggle.
"One of the reasons I stayed away from Medicare [Part D] is that they can't explain things simply," says Harris, who lives at the Park Vista Retirement Community on Fifth Avenue near the senior center. She does use Medicare for hospitalization and medical coverage. She chose Banker's Life Insurance for her prescription drug benefits. Banker's also will participate in Medicare Part D.
Harris thinks the Medicare drug program is "designed to help insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies," she said.
Last June, the cost of her six prescriptions suddenly rose from $790 for a 90-day supply to $900 -- and that's for generic medicines, she stressed. The brand-name drugs would cost about $1,200. She thinks the price increase was tied to the introduction of Medicare Part D.
"It's too bad that they didn't make a provision to negotiate [drug prices] with Medicare," she said.
Sensitive questions
Harris also objected to questions on the Medicare forms about income and savings. Participants only need to indicate whether they are below the maximum income and assets rates for their households in order to qualify for the greatest assistance, she said.
Asked why the government would seek detailed information, "Some stupid guy made it up ... and didn't know what was going to be necessary," she said.
The questions regarding money help to determine who qualifies for government help with premium payments, Signoriello said. The annual income threshold is $11,500 for a single person and $23,000 for a couple. Anyone who exceeds those amounts will pay from $16 to $68 per month for prescription benefits. The more you pay, the better the coverage, she said.
"I don't need it. I have a good plan," said Pat Reeder of Poland Township. "I'm told I'm better off with the plan I have," which is a supplement of her husband's pension. He was a teacher.
Olga Hoier of Girard doesn't intend to sign up. "I'm very satisfied with Anthem [Blue Cross/Blue Shield]," she said.
Nor does Ileene Rozich of Girard. "Thank goodness my husband worked at a good place," she said, referring to General American Transportation Corp. in Masury.
Walter Morosko of Girard says he'll wait to hear about other people's experiences before he decides to enroll. He, too, is confused by the application forms.
"I read it twice, and my daughter read it twice," he said.
"It's too bad," Harris said about the confusion over Medicare Part D. "They have a good idea here."
shaulis@vindy.com