Seniors Need to Choose Drug Plan

Medicare chief Mark McClellan toured Tennessee yesterday urging seniors to be ready to choose a drug plan.

Enrollment in Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit starts in mid-November. McClellan says by next month, seniors will have specific information on the 18 drug plans available here.

“There will be plans available for drug coverage here in Tennessee that cost less than 30 dollars, one that costs under 20 dollars, so if you spend a little time looking you can get help with your drug costs for a lot less than people had expected.”

Participation in Medicare’s new drug benefit is optional. However, patients will have to choose whether to accept the coverage or reject it.

McClellan also said that he is working with federal officials on taking care of Medicare patients who are stuck along the Gulf Coast. The most urgent need right now, he says, is to get sick patients the medicine they need.