Invited by EGCA, two officers from Social Security Administration Becky Lim (Cantonese) and Myra Jang(Mandarin) made a presentation to EGCA members about Medicare Part D in the evening of January 6th, 2006. They also answered questions from the audience.
As prescription drug cost being increased, Medicare D (prescription drug coverage) is aim of protecting people who have high drug costs. If you join before December 31, 2005, your coverage will start January 1, 2006. Normally, people who are over 65 or under 65 with handicap can sign up.
Medicare D requires premium around $17-37. As a little drug user, you may pay more now. However, having got older and older, you may have to buy more and more drugs. Most attendee in the seminar believed that Medicare Part D could keep our mind in peace.
You may sign up from November 15, 2005 to May 15, 2006. If you don’t sign up by May 15, 2006, you may pay a penalty (Late Enrollment Fee).
Two officers also answered questions on how to apply for Medicare.
At end, EGCA president Jane Liang thank two officers for giving seminar in EGCA with their spare time.
If you have any questions about Medicare, feel free to contact Becky Lim or Myra Jang at phone number of 916-376-8915.
Following are some useful websites for your reference:
Government’s Medicare Website:
http://www.medicare.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Social Services:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/
Social Security Office:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/
Medicare and Medi-Cal Q&A:
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/mcs/mcpd/meb/mma/html/QandAs.htm
by Kin Wah NG and Charlie Huang