Sisters seniors wary of penalties coming with Medicare deadline

Seniors are facing another deadline to sign up for the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program. However, this time there is a penalty for not signing up by May 15.

One Central Oregon Council on Aging (COCOA) employee said that while the process seems confusing, the advice she repeats is simple.

“Don’t delay, call today!” said Susan Francis, COCOA’s In-Home Services Supervisor.

Francis said seniors with questions should call now so that COCOA can counsel them on their individual situations and compare options.

“The vast majority of people we help save money,” said Francis.

Francis said it is estimated that 66 percent of Oregon’s seniors have signed up for a drug plan under the new Medicare program. Some of the remaining seniors may have insurance through a former employer, a union or other credible source. But if they do not have legitimate coverage, a one percent a month penalty starts accruing May 15.

“They can never sign up again without there being a penalty,” added Francis.

Sisters resident Jan Morgan is a volunteer trained by COCOA to help seniors find the best Medicare coverage. Morgan said she has really enjoyed helping local seniors find the best program. She is trained to wade through the dozens of programs available to Deschutes County residents which differ in the cost of the monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

Morgan said some seniors feel they are being forced into a Medicare plan “by the threat of a penalty.” However, her experience with the Sisters seniors she has counseled is that they end up with a plan that saves money. She hopes to help more seniors before the May 15 deadline.

“You don’t wait until you have an accident to get car insurance,” added Morgan.

One Sisters couple counseled by Morgan is Cliff and Pat Willis. Pat Willis said she didn’t understand the Medicare program when the government introduced it last year. She said Morgan made the process easy.

“She told us what paperwork to bring and took it from there,” said Willis.

Morgan found that the couple, both in their 60s, benefited from different plans. Pat needed a plan that allowed her to buy effective drugs to treat her epilepsy since generic drugs don’t help her condition. Pat said with the right Medicare plan and the right drugs, she leads a normal life. The couple signed up in April and point out that it takes a while for the paperwork to be processed.

“Get with it quick and go see Jan,” said Willis.

Some seniors may be delaying in signing up for a Medicare program because they are receiving free drugs from pharmaceutical companies. Some companies have been providing the drugs to people who make more than the income levels required to be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid but who still can’t afford their prescriptions.

Many drug companies will be ending those free programs May 15.

To reach Morgan to discuss the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program, call COCOA at 548-8817 or 504-0392.