Medicare Part D provides individuals 65 years of age and older, as well as individuals with disabilities, a comprehensive prescription drug benefit program. This program is the most significant improvement to senior healthcare in 40 years. The Medicare Part D prescription drug program includes an open enrollment period that begins November 15, 2006 and ends on December 31. All Medicare beneficiaries have an option to either:

• enroll for the first time,


• select a new plan,


• remain with their current plan,


• or voluntarily dis-enroll.

Medicare advises that you complete the registration by December 8 in order to avoid any disruption in service on January 1.

To aid you in making an informed decision, J.D. Power and Associates has conducted the 2006 Medicare Part D Beneficiary Satisfaction Study among more than 5,000 beneficiaries to identify the factors that are most important to them. As you begin shopping for your drug plan we recommend the following steps:

1. Review what kind of prescription drug coverage you have now, if any.

• If you're already enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan today, does it adequately provide for your current and future needs? If not, a new plan may be a better fit for you.


• If you have retiree drug coverage from your former employer or a union, call them to find out if the plan will continue into next year. If not, you may need to look for an alternative plan.

2. Determine what plans you can afford or if you are eligible for financial assistance.

• To receive help from the government, a two-part test is used. Beneficiaries who are single and make $14,000 or less each year and who have less than $11,500 in property (not including your home or car) may qualify for assistance.
• Don't be blinded by premium costs. A plan that offers a low monthly premium may have a large deductible, sizable co-pays or coverage gaps. A high premium may not guarantee coverage for all medicines at all times.

3. Take a look at the prescription medications you are taking.

• Are the drugs you need covered by the plan? If not, you likely will have to pay the full out-of-pocket cost. If your drugs are covered, what's the co-payment?
• Are your medications on the preferred list at the same dosages?
• Are there conditions, such as prior authorization, that requires your doctor to consult with the plan before a medicine can be used?
• Is there a limit to the number of pills that you can get during a single visit to the pharmacy, or do you have to go back each month for a refill? Ask about layered copays or tiers, since some copays can be as much as $100. Find out if there is a mail-order option that can also cut your costs.

4. Narrow down the list of drug plans available.
In the 2006 enrollment period, the average beneficiary shopped three competing drug plans. A number of resources are available to help you choose based on the drugs covered, your budget and the current satisfaction levels of other beneficiaries. A list of some of the resources is provided below:

• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS provides online tools that can help you compare the plans that are available in your area. Find more information at www.medicare.gov or speak with a representative by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Department of the Elderly in your own State: Each state has counselors in their department of the elderly who are trained to help you find the best plan. For a list of state offices, click here
• J.D. Power Consumer Center: View comparative ratings for the major drug plans in California, Texas and Florida, based on the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Medicare Part D Beneficiary Satisfaction Study,^SM at JDPower.com.

5. Once you have narrowed down the list of choices, make sure you speak to a representative of each plan, whether by phone or face-to-face.
J.D. Power and Associates' research reveals that the quality of service can vary significantly between plans. The study also shows that consumers who spoke directly with a plan representative during enrollment were more knowledgeable about how their plan worked, and more satisfied overall.

6. Find out what pharmacies you can use as part of the plans you're comparing.
If you have a preferred pharmacy, make sure it is available to you in the plans you're considering. Note: Most plans offer a mail-order option that may save you money.