Low-income subsidy still available to Vermonters who qualify.

Montpelier--Some 74,238 Vermonters now have prescription drug coverage through Medicare, according to final-enrollment numbers recently released by the federal government. This number includes those signed up for stand-alone prescription drug plans and for Medicare managed care plans that include prescription coverage.

Of Vermont’s approximately 98,000 Medicare beneficiaries, about 75.5 percent now have some kind of drug coverage. “Vermonters are telling me they are getting their prescriptions for less, so I know the new Medicare prescription drug program is delivering savings and security, and I know that Medicare beneficiaries are satisfied with the benefit," says Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie. "The enrollment numbers have exceeded expectations.”

Dubie is joined by the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living and the Medicare Rx Access Network of Vermont in reminding the thousands of Vermonters who may be eligible but have not applied for the benefit’s low-income subsidy that they can still apply between now and Nov. 15 (when the next open-enrollment period begins) for extra help with paying for the coverage. If they qualify for the low-income subsidy, they are offered a special enrollment opportunity to enroll for coverage to begin right away and they will not be subject to a late-enrollment penalty.

“Reaching out to beneficiaries in Vermont who may be eligible for the low-income subsidy has been no small task,” says Joan Senecal, Deputy Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living. “There is help available for those who wish to find out if they qualify.”

Beneficiaries who wish to find out if they qualify for the low-income subsidy can get assistance by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

To obtain the Medicare agency’s final, state-by-state enrollment data, log onto http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/02_EnrollmentData.asp#TopOfPage