California Health Insurance News 
Articles / Are all Californian senior citizens ready for Medicare Part D?
09/13/2005
Beginning January 1, 2006, anyone who is entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Part B will also be able to enroll in the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. It is important to know that in most cases, no one will receive this new benefit automatically with Medicare, the individual has to choose to join this program.
In the next couple of months, people will be asking many questions, the most common of which will be:
1. How much will the program cost?
2. How do I enroll?
3. Am I guaranteed to receive the prescription card regardless of my health?
4. Is there a penalty if I don't enroll now?
5. What are the benefits and are all drugs covered?
6. How will this change my current Medigap Policy?
Starting October 1st, the plans will be announced by the insurance companies and there will be an overload of information and confusion.
The open enrollment period for Part D starts in November.
"All eligible people should start planning now to enroll for the card during this period or face penalties later on." Said David Thau, CEO and founder of Keep it Simple Insurance
"This is the biggest change in Medicare in almost half a century and particularly our seniors need to take advantage of this program or it could prove very expensive for them later. I would strongly advise them to go to my website with their queries at www.keepitsimpleinsurance.com or call me to keep abreast of the latest developments in Medicare Supplement Insurance."
