Segment Of Low Income Seniors Missing Out Under Part D

Although it's practically free, many lowincome seniors are not joining the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program. They don't know how to apply, don't know about the program, or are comfortable with their Medicaid or EPIC drug coverage.

Out of the 8 million individuals eligible for the coverage, only 1.4 million had signed up for it, according to a Washington Post story. President George W. Bush had waged a $400 million campaign to get the low-income seniors to sign up for Medicare Part D, but the effort had made little headway.

The group that is targeted by the president's campaign are those who earn too much to get Medicaid but less than $19,000 a year. Their coverage would call for no premiums, no deductibles, and co-payments of less than $5 per prescription.

"It's a very good benefit," said Deane Beebe of the Medicare Rights Center, which has been one of the advocate groups helping seniors to decipher the Part D program. "It's probably the best thing about Medicare Part D, except that most people don't know about it or don't know how to apply for it or are not comfortable with it or capable of applying."

Medicare Part D also treats very low income seniors very well. These poorest and sickest individuals pay the least for the drug benefit. About 6 million elderly and disabled were switched from state Medicaid programs throughout the country to Part D, which is virtually free for them. About 600,000 seniors in New York were also switched over, although the program's early glitches left them in a sort of no man's land with no coverage after the program started on January 1.

Now, through the efforts of the state legislature in Albany, a temporary program of emergency coverage has given these seniors coverage until they are firmly entered on the rolls of the new program.

PART-D ON THE AGENDA: Still hot topic, the Medicare Part D prescription drug program will be discussed by Kelly Singleton, a federal health official, at Taminent Regular Democratic Club headquarters, 33-09 23rd Ave., Astoria, tomorrow evening starting at 7 p.m. Kevin Mullarkey, the club corresponding secretary, expects a big turnout.

F.H. SENIORS'ACTIVITIES: Five events have been scheduled over the next two weeks by the Forest Hills Senior Center which should be of interest to its members. The schedule was issued by Toolarie Iqbal, the centers assistant director.

Next Tuesday, a Senior Medical ID program will be presented from 10 a.m. to noon. This will be followed two days later by a colon cancer lecture at 10:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, March 21, a creative arts program will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Holistic nutrition will be discussed Tuesday, March 28, also starting at 10:30 a.m., and Housing and Voting are on the agenda on Friday, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. Programs starting at 10:30 a.m. are one hour long.

Iqbal adds that hot lunch is served daily at the center, located at 108-25 62nd Dr., in Forest Hills.