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Workshop to address Medicare prescription drug questions

Daily Staff Report

Eagle County Health & Human Services (HHS) will host a workshop on the new Medicare prescription drug plans on Saturday, April 1 at Eagle Valley Middle School, 707 East 3 rd Street, Eagle, from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop is the third in a series of informational sessions on the drug insurance plans. May 15 is the last day to enroll for those who are eligible for Medicare. The numerous options available to those entitled to Medicare prescription coverage has led to confusion in choosing from the 44 plans available in Colorado. The HHS workshop will provide individual assistance in navigating the Medicare Web site with trained volunteers from the Eagle County Volunteer Center. As the Medicare prescription plans are researched via the Internet, our computer-trained volunteers will essentially help seniors narrow the field to three plans for each participant, said HHS Director Kathleen Forinash. This will hopefully make it easier for the seniors to enroll in a single plan of their choice. Medicare requires each drug plan to cover both brand name and generic drugs. However, it is unlikely that plans will cover all drugs. Those eligible for Medicare may either enroll in a standard plan with lower premiums or select a higher premium plan with increased drug coverage. Standard plans will not cover vitamins over-the-counter, weight control drugs, or barbiturates. In Colorado, the 44 plans are provided by a total of 17 Medicare approved drug companies. Each plan has different drug coverage, premiums, deductibles, co-pays and pharmacy networks. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for the April 1 Medicare Prescriptions Workshop at Eagle Valley Middle School, call Nola Smith at (970) 328-8840. Vail Colorado


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