May 15th Medicare signup deadline approaches

Seniors risk paying too much for prescription drugs if they fail to sign up property for the Medicare Part D program by May 15.

Asked if she thought everyone who needed to hear it had gotten the word about the deadline, Diane Peterson, Chesterfield County's senior advocate, said she thought perhaps many, if not most, had.

But, if you are among the seniors who have not yet analyzed all of their options under the new federal program, there are still several opportunities in the county to do so with trained, free help in April.

All of this help is needed because signing up requires a certain amount of details.

An organization called My Medicare Matters has been in the Richmond area since January setting up programs that offer individuals and their family members opportunities to sit down at a computer with a trained educator and determine what's best for them.

There are other free meetings as well, not part of the My Medicare Matters.

For example, CVS Pharmacy will be working with Congressman Eric Cantor's office and the county's senior advocate office to sponsor a Medicare Part D Informational Program at the Midlothian Library on April 13. (Call 800-438-3793 for one-on-one session at this meeting.)

Don't be surprised if Medicare is the program topic of your civic group or church club in April. AARP's Virginia office has formed a speakers bureau to talk on the changes to the Medicare benefits. Each AARP speaker will provide free publications and present a 45minute program that is said to address questions such as "How does the New Medicare prescription drug benefit work?"

But, one-on-one sessions are a good idea for a tailor-made program, which you may or may not need depending on the health coverage you have.

To find out, the advisors typically ask you to bring a list of prescriptions, including dosage strengths and instructions, a Medicare and/or Medicaid card, a list of preferred pharmacies, and any correspondences from former employers, Medigap insurance providers, or government agencies about Medicare.

Anyone who might qualify for extra help under the low-income subsidy should also bring information such as bank statements, tax returns, life insurance policies, payroll stubs and any documentation of income.

Typically the advisors take all of this personal information and use formulas in their computers to help explain the options on Part D prescription drug coverage. Call 355-5901 for more information.

Peterson says she believes many seniors can go through the options themselves using websites such as www.BenefitsCheckUpRx. org to assess their situation and find and compare plans. There are also private firms who will investigate Medicare options for a fee.

Medicare meetings Wednesday, April 12 Chester Baptist Church 4317 School Street, Chester 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

Thursday, April 13 Midlothian Library 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Midlothian Call 800-438-3793 for more details.

Monday, April 17 Southerland Place 14016 Turnberry Lane, Midlothian 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, April 21 Bon Air Library 9103 Rattlesnake Road, Chesterfield 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26 Chester Baptist Church 4317 School Street, Chester 10 a.m. to 2 p.m