Representative Don Humason



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2, 2006 HUMASON ANNOUNCES OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MASS PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE PROGRAM Don Humason, Jr., Westfield's State Representative, has announced that Prescription Advantage, the state’s pharmacy assistance program, will hold open enrollment from September 15th to November 15th for eligible Massachusetts residents. "The Prescription Advantage program can help lower prescription drug costs for many seniors and individuals with disabilities," Humason said. "Enrollment has been capped until recently when the House and Senate voted to hold open enrollment again." To obtain a Prescription Advantage enrollment form contact your local Council on Aging or Prescription Advantage Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) or TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-877-610-0241. The new Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which began in January, has benefited many seniors with savings to their prescription drug costs. However, even with these savings, some seniors may still have high out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Part D premiums in Massachusetts range from $7.32 to $65.58 per month, depending on the plan chosen. Many plans also have deductibles up to $250 a year. Beyond those costs, there are drug co-payments. Individuals whose total drug costs reach $2,250, will pay 100 percent of the drug costs until their total drug costs have reached $5,100. Individuals with limited income may also be eligible to receive help paying for their Medicare Part D plan premiums. Individuals who are not eligible for Medicare may still apply for Prescription Advantage. For seniors who do not have Medicare Part D, but have prescription drug coverage through an employer or union, Prescription Advantage also provides secondary benefits. In addition, if an elder has not enrolled in a Part D plan, they are encouraged to apply for Prescription Advantage, and join a Part D plan later in the year. Prescription Advantage, as a secondary payer to Medicare Part D, can help reduce out-of-pocket costs by: Providing benefits during coverage gaps, such as deductibles; Lowering co-payment amounts; and Providing an annual out-of-pocket limit. "I would encourage all seniors and people with disabilities to look into this enrollment opportunity. It could save them a lot of money on their prescription costs," Humason concluded. * * * Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their NEW Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2006

HUMASON ANNOUNCES OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MASS PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE PROGRAM

Don Humason, Jr., Westfield's State Representative, has announced that Prescription Advantage, the state’s pharmacy assistance program, will hold open enrollment from September 15th to November 15th for eligible Massachusetts residents.

"The Prescription Advantage program can help lower prescription drug costs for many seniors and individuals with disabilities," Humason said. "Enrollment has been capped until recently when the House and Senate voted to hold open enrollment again."

To obtain a Prescription Advantage enrollment form contact your local Council on Aging or Prescription Advantage Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) or TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-877-610-0241.

The new Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which began in January, has benefited many seniors with savings to their prescription drug costs. However, even with these savings, some seniors may still have high out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare Part D premiums in Massachusetts range from $7.32 to $65.58 per month, depending on the plan chosen. Many plans also have deductibles up to $250 a year. Beyond those costs, there are drug co-payments. Individuals whose total drug costs reach $2,250, will pay 100 percent of the drug costs until their total drug costs have reached $5,100.

Individuals with limited income may also be eligible to receive help paying for their Medicare Part D plan premiums. Individuals who are not eligible for Medicare may still apply for Prescription Advantage.

For seniors who do not have Medicare Part D, but have prescription drug coverage through an employer or union, Prescription Advantage also provides secondary benefits. In addition, if an elder has not enrolled in a Part D plan, they are encouraged to apply for Prescription Advantage, and join a Part D plan later in the year.

Prescription Advantage, as a secondary payer to Medicare Part D, can help reduce out-of-pocket costs by:

Providing benefits during coverage gaps, such as deductibles;
Lowering co-payment amounts; and
Providing an annual out-of-pocket limit.

"I would encourage all seniors and people with disabilities to look into this enrollment opportunity. It could save them a lot of money on their prescription costs," Humason concluded.

* * *

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their NEW Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA01085, 568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA02133, (617) 722-2460.
Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us