New program to help seniors weigh Medicare prescription options
|
A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose The Rev. Mearle Griffith wants to be sure seniors understand their options with the new drug benefits program.
|
The
Rev. Mearle Griffith, president of the United Methodist Association of
Health and Welfare Ministries, says he wants to be sure seniors
understand their options with Medicare's new prescription drug benefits
program. Griffith is pictured in 2004. A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose.
Photo #05-xxx. Accompanies UMNS #427, 7/28/05 |
July 28, 2005
A UMNS Report
By Linda Bloom*
If senior citizens want
to benefit from the new Medicare program on prescription drugs, they
will have to carefully consider their options.
To assist with that
process, the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare
Ministries is introducing a program called “Serving America’s Seniors”
in cooperation with the Coalition to Advance Prescription Drug Education
(CARxE). The program is open to congregations and social service
organizations of all faith traditions.
In 2006, prescription
drug benefits, known as Part D, will be added to Medicare. A variety of
choices for prescription drug plans will become public Oct. 15 and the
enrollment period will be Nov. 15 to May 15, 2006.
The plans will place
prescription drugs into a type of insurance program, according to the
Rev. Mearle Griffith, project director for “Serving America’s Seniors”
and chief executive of the United Methodist Association, based near
Dayton, Ohio.
“Many people will not
need this simply because they have adequate health insurance,” he
pointed out, adding that seniors who will benefit the most are those
without adequate health coverage or income.
A national launch for
“Serving America’s Seniors” is planned Aug. 18 in Houston. It will
include presentations on the educational programs and an explanation of
the enrollment “gateway” for seniors and their volunteer advocates.
“Part of the education
process deals with the variety of options that they will have,” Griffith
explained. “They’re all different, depending on the seniors’ economic
situation and the prescription drug regimen that they take.”
|
A file photo by Rick L. Houchin Seniors with sufficient health insurance won't need Part D, while those with inadequate coverage or income will benefit.
|
Seniors
with sufficient health insurance won't need Medicare's new prescription
drug benefits program, known as Part D, while those with inadequate
coverage or income will benefit. The United Methodist Association of
Health and Welfare Ministries is introducing a program to help educate
seniors about Part D. A UMNS file photo by Rick L. Houchin. Photo
#05-540. Accompanies UMNS story #427. 7/28/05 |
The only way to compare
the options, he said, “is through computer technology and the
Internet.” Because seniors often do not have access to such technology,
the “Serving America’s Seniors” Program is looking for volunteers who
want to do ministry with seniors and also have computer skills.
“From a pure ministry
standpoint, we want to make sure they (seniors) have all the information
they need to understand their options,” Griffith added.
While the United
Methodist Association will be working with seniors through its network
of nearly 400 health and welfare ministries, Griffith is encouraging
local congregations to create their own volunteer base for the program
to assist seniors in their churches and communities.
By early August, the CARxE Web site, www.carxe.org,
will host a training program for volunteers, who simply need to
register to have access to an education module and instructions on how
to assist seniors with Plan D enrollment.
Using DestinationRx
Part-D Professional Gateway software, provided by CARxE, volunteers and
health care and social service professionals will be able to help
seniors determine eligibility issues, evaluate treatment methods and
compare plans and prices.
More information is available at www.carxe.org or by calling the national help center toll free at (866) 394-7700.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Related Articles
Medicare writing up complicated prescription
United Methodists using drug discount card save thousands
United Methodists offer drug benefits to members
Church grapples with U.S. health care crisis
Resources
United Methodist Association
Official Medicare site
CARxE
|