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Thanks to our
Berkshire County delegation
Thousands apply
for Prescription Advantage
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Ecu-Health Care, one-stop shopping for the uninsured
Providence Court,
a home with support
REACH Elder Health Task Force makes impact
Shine
Answers
Thousands apply for Prescription Advantage
By Priscilla Zuber, SHINE Counselor,
Now that the Prescription Advantage August 1 through August 31open enrollment period has ended, let’s reflect on the results. In just one month, Elder Services staff assisted 336 seniors and their families with information about Prescription Advantage and the application process. In addition Elder Services dispersed over 200 applications throughout Berkshire County’s human service agencies and to all area councils on aging. Ecu-Health Care provided exceptional public service coverage, and responded to hundreds of inquiries, and assisted with and sent out 287 applications.
Approximately 80,000 Massachusetts residents are currently enrolled in this statewide discount prescription drug program. According to Michael P. Norton of the State House News Service, an additional 11,000 senior citizens applied statewide to join Prescription Advantage during August. According to Elder Services’ Executive Director, Robert P. Dean, the collaborative efforts of numerous organizations including the county’s Councils on Aging, Ecu-Health Care, and Elder Services resulted in more than 745 individuals in Berkshire County applying for enrollment into the Plan. Dean said this number, which represents almost 7% of the 11,000 seeking enrollment statewide, is particularly impressive when one considers that, according to the 2000 US Census, Berkshire County comprises only 2% of the Commonwealth’s overall population. The need for affordable medications is not any greater in Berkshire County than in other parts of the Commonwealth. However, elder advocates in Berkshire County were better able to inform residents of this vital opportunity to seek enrollment into an affordable prescription plan during the thirty-one day open enrollment period.
Reasons for the increased popularity of Prescription Advantage include: the growing over 65 population, unaffordable increases in supplement insurance coverage, and increased public awareness due to media and press coverage.
Those who did not sign up in August may get another chance. In September, the Legislature sent Gov. Mitt Romney a bill calling for another month of open enrollment in January 2004.
Call Elder Services for information, or with senior-related concerns and issues. SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Information Needs of Elders) counselors are available through Elder Services and many Councils on Aging to assist people 60 and older with health insurance concerns, claims, appeals, and applications.
YOU (Yourself and Others in Unison) is a valuable link in sharing information so others are able to make informed decisions.