Nearly 25-percent of Tennesseeans who are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage still haven’t enrolled despite next week’s May 15th deadline.
According to Medicare officials, 688-thousand Tennesseeans have signed up for one of the 40 prescription programs available. But that means there’s more two-hundred thousand who haven’t selected a plan.
Diane Schlauffman helps coordinate Medicare assistance in Nashville. She’s says so many people waited until the last minute because they thought the deadline would be extended. She’s particularly worried about those people who are in hard to reach rural communities.
“That is a challenge and that is one of the reasons why extending that deadline would be really important, especially in a state like Tennessee where you do have such vast rural community. You know, it’s just not enough time for a program that’s like this, where it was so confusing, so many choices, and there were so many problems with the system.”
Florida democrat Bill Nelson says his bill to extend the deadline didn’t have enough votes in the Senate. Those who do not sign up by May 15th could face a lifelong financial penalty.
To enroll for the medicare drug plan, go online to www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare.
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