WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Governor Adds Alabama to List of States Trying to Bridge Medicare Part D Gap

Governor Adds Alabama to List of States Trying to Bridge Medicare Part D Gap

Alabama Governor Bob Riley added Alabama to the list of states trying to bridge the gap occurring due to problems and inefficiencies in the new Medicare Prescription Drug plan.

Other states ahead of Alabama in acting on this include Maine, where a plan was put in place in anticipation of problems with the new Medicare program, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Illinois among others.

Illinois' Medicaid chief Anne Marie Murphy told the Chicago Tribune that Illinois will recoup the cost of its programs from the private Medicare drug insurance plans which she says are responsible for paying the bills.

Under the Alabama plan, seniors who were receiving their prescription drugs under Medicaid before January 1, 2006 will be guaranteed their medications.

Pharmacies are required to attempt to utilize the Medicare system but Medicaid will serve as a safety net.

“People who are Dual Eligible should be receiving their pharmacy services from the Medicare program but they should not be penalized because there have been problems implementing that program across the country,” said Medicaid Commissioner Carol Herrmann-Steckel

Irene Collins, the Executive Director of the Alabama Department of Senior Citizens, said, "Through the area agencies on aging we have made significant efforts to educate and assist Alabama seniors. It is important to remember that this is prescription drug insurance and with all insurance policies, you have many options. We will continue our outreach efforts and encourage our seniors to make wise choices. We appreciate Governor Riley taking this initiative to assist the dual-eligible recipients."

It is estimated the maximum cost to the state will be $15 million dollars. However, Governor Riley and Commissioner Herrmann-Steckel said they do not believe the costs will reach the maximum level before Medicare Part D begins to function as intended.

There was no mention in the Alabama plan about help for seniors who cannot get a letter to certify their eligibility for plans they have signed up for. Many seniors have not been able to get through to a human to find out what the status is with their new drug plan nor have many seniors been able to get through a swamped Medicare phone system for help.