Seniors Urged Not to Ignore Medicare Changes
From the Baraboo News Republic:
Trish Vandre is the director of the Sauk County, Wisconsin Commission on Aging.
Vandre said area seniors, as well as their family members and care providers, should attend a session to gain a better understanding of the changes the new plan will bring. She said the changes will affect all people on Medicare: senior citizens and disabled people.
“It really is about getting the basis of information and knowing,” Vandre said. “It’s not all good news, but putting your head in the sand could be damaging. No one should assume it won’t affect them until they hear about it.”
“Medicare will tell you (enrollment) is voluntary, but it is not without consequence to enroll after you should have,” Vandre said. “Whether you have another prescription drug plan or SeniorCare, that coverage may not continue.”
Current Medicare recipients should not assume anything about the upcoming changes in the program, either.
“Just because it is Medicare does not mean it is comprehensive (prescription drug coverage),” Vandre said. “There are very definitely out-of pocket costs, even if you do everything right with this program and take advantage of all the benefits.”