Crisis looms: Medicare coverage doesn't pay enough, doctors refuse service, and Medicare patients can't make up the difference e

Helpful Web Links:

* AARP's Alaska Medicare Fact Sheet: www.aarp.org

* Alaska SeniorCare: http://hss.state.ak.us/dsds/seniorcaresio.htm

* Providence Hospital Senior issues: www.providence.org/Alaska

Medicare Prescription Enrollment Deadline for 2007 This Month

The next enrollment period for seniors 65 and older to sign up for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans is Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, 2007.

On Jan. 1, 2006, with much fanfare and not a little trepidation, Medicare, the national medical assistance program for seniors and people living with certain disabilities, began helping seniors pay for prescription drugs. An open enrollment period occurs annually during the last two months of the year.

If you did not sign up during the initial enrollment period in 2006, you will pay a little more when you do enroll. However, there are exceptions:

1. People who have Medicare and Medicaid, or have health 1. care insurance that is equal or better than Medicare will not get the cost increase. But you must present a letter from your health care insurance stating you have "credible coverage."

2. This cost increase does not apply to people who get both 2. Medicare and Medicaid, or already have health care coverage that is as good as Medicare. Insured people should have gotten a "creditable coverage" letter saying whether their plan provides similar benefits as Medicare. Keep that letter in a safe place, because with it, you can switch from your current plan to Medicare with no penalty.

Remember that if you switch, you may not be able to go back to your personal plan.

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