Governor Announces Additional Steps to Help Mainers Transition to Medicare Part D

December 27, 2005

Crystal Canney, 287-2531

Jude Walsh, 624-7442

AUGUSTA – As Maine citizens continue to experience difficulties enrolling in the Federal Government’s new Medicare Part D prescription drug program, Governor John Baldacci has taken additional steps to ensure Maine people are protected and continue to have drug coverage. In addition to extending help desk hours, the Governor has won approval to evaluate the plans the Federal Government has been randomly assigning to impacted seniors and the disabled, and to re-enroll citizens in plans that better meet their needs.

“Maine is the only state in the nation taking this proactive step to protect our seniors and disabled, and the State’s evaluations and reassignments are improving their coverage,” said Governor Baldacci. “Under the federal random enrollment process 10,000 -- or one in four -- of Maine seniors only had 60% or less of their drugs covered. Under Maine’s intelligent reassignment we increased that percentage so that between 97% –100% of their drugs will be covered.”

Maine is the only state in the nation that has analyzed the coverage in plans assigned by the Federal government against the coverage currently provided under MaineCare for every single member who must leave MaineCare on January 1 for a new Medicare plan. Effective January 1, 45,000 low income seniors and disabled can no longer receive prescription drug coverage from the State’s MaineCare program but must enroll in the Federal Medicare Part D program.

Another 22,000 beneficiaries of our State Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled (DEL) program are receiving help signing up for Medicare Part D. The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance and the Department of Health and Human Services will soon notify MaineCare and DEL recipients about plans that have more of the drugs they are using so they can elect to switch if they choose.

The Governor noted that these actions are necessary to protect our seniors and disabled. “Maine has a longstanding commitment to provide access to medications for our low income seniors and disabled people,” said Governor Baldacci. “Under Medicare Part D the Federal Government has made our job to ensure the safety and welfare of our more vulnerable seniors and disabled more difficult. We will do our very best to help our citizens get the best coverage possible within the limits of this new Federal program.”

Due to the continued confusion over the transition to the Federal Medicare Part D benefit, the Pharmacy Help Desk will be expanding its hours of operation to include phone coverage from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday January 1, 2006 and 8:00 am to 7:30 pm on Monday January 2, 2006. The State’s Pharmacy Helpline can be reached toll free 1-866-RxMaine.