With enrollment open for Medicare’s prescription drug insurance plan between now and the end of the year, many seniors have questions.

    “I don’t even know about Plan D,” said Joan Newcomer, a 73-year-old Silver Creek resident who has been on Medicare for nearly a decade.

    The federally administered health care insurance program is available for people 65 and older or those of any age with disabilities.

    Newcomer has basic Medicare coverage, at about $96 per month, which covers roughly 80 percent of her visits to the clinic and hospital. She also pays about $170 per month for a supplemental insurance through AARP, which fills the gaps left by Medicare.

    But she still pays hundreds of dollars every month out of her own pocket for prescription drugs, which are not covered by any of the insurance programs she’s currently enrolled in.

    Newcomer was a nurse for 45 years and now volunteers as an emergency medical technician for the Salkum Fire Department, but she lives on her monthly social security check — less than $1,000 per month, she said.

    More than 30 percent of her monthly income goes to covering insurance premiums. Add in prescriptions for her asthma, thyroid, arthritis, and Wellbutrin (to help her quit smoking), and she’s spending closer to half her income on health care.

    Others like Newcomer, who may be looking for more information on Medicare and the prescription drug plan, are the people Valerie Mason hopes to reach with a workshop in December, Communication Rx Workshop.

    “We want to help people make the best choice they can with information that is understandable to them,” said Mason, assistance specialist with the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging.

    The workshop will include speakers from Hall’s Pharmacy, in Centralia, and the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors office. It will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Centralia Timberland Library.

    “This is an important time of year for seniors on Medicare because of the changes that can take place in their coverage plans,” Mason said. “Seniors need to make decisions during this enrollment time to either stay with the plans they have or to change plans.”

    And though plenty of information on different Medicare-type plans are available, this information is often confusing and can be overwhelming, Mason said.

    Professionals will be available at the workshop to explain Medicare supplements and Medicare D (for prescription drugs).

Medicare 101

    In 2003, 27 percent of U.S. citizens were on Medicaid and Medicare programs, according to census data. The numbers are growing as these programs increase their coverage.

    Medicaid is the federally-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. Medicaid typically doesn’t require a premium, but people have to qualify and usually remain in the program for only short periods of time.

    Medicare provides insurance at a fairly low premium, though adding “supplemental” plans means additional costs. This year the government has decided not to increase premiums for basic coverage, which usually happens annually.

    “People don’t have to have Medicare, but most choose it,” said Mason.

    Here’s a breakdown of the most basic Medicare plans:

    Plan A – part of the original Medicare coverage, pays for a portion of hospital visits.

    Plan B – also part of the original Medicare coverage, pays for a portion of visits to doctors and clinics.

    Plan C – now referred to as the “advantage plan” or “Medicare supplement,” extra coverage provided by private companies contracted with the government that can help with things plans A and B didn’t cover.

    Plan D – also provided through contract with private companies, covers a portion of prescription drugs.

    For free assistance in understanding Medicare or making choices about coverage, contact Valerie Mason at the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging, at 748-2524 extension 101 or 748-2288.

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Workshop

    All seniors and their family members are invited to a Communication Rx Workshop where speakers from the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors office and Hall’s Pharmacy will discuss Medicare coverage and costs and provide an update on changes to the Medicare prescription drug program, Medicare D.

When: Saturday,

Dec. 12

Where: Centralia Timberland Library

Speakers: 10 a.m. – Noon

Workshop for individual assistance from SHIBA: 1-3 p.m.

    Call Valerie Mason at the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging at 748-2524 extension 101 or 748-2288 for more information on Medicare D or the workshop.

    Dian McClurg is a former Chronicle reporter and current freelance writer living near Silver Creek. She can be reached at dlmcclurg@tds.net.