Important Notice from SeniorCare about Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare Part D

Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has information about your current SeniorCare prescription drug coverage and Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug coverage available January 1, 2006 for people with Medicare. It also tells you where to find more information to help you make decisions about your prescription drug coverage.

• The Department of Health and Family Services has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by SeniorCare is "creditable coverage." This means that SeniorCare coverage, on average, is as good as the standard Medicare drug coverage.
• Because your existing coverage with SeniorCare is at least as good as the standard Medicare coverage, you can keep SeniorCare and not pay extra if you later decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
• People with Medicare can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan from November 15, 2005 through May 15, 2006. However, because SeniorCare drug coverage is at least as good as Medicare drug coverage, you can choose to join a Medicare prescription drug plan later. After May 15, 2006, you will have the opportunity to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan each year, from November 15 through December 31.
• You should also know that if you do not re-enroll in SeniorCare when your SeniorCare prescription drug coverage ends and you do not enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may pay more to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan later. This means that if, after May 15, 2006, you go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium for a Medicare prescription drug plan will go up at least 1% per month that you did not have coverage.
• If you decide to voluntarily end SeniorCare after May 15, 2006, you may want to seek advice from your county Department of Aging to make sure that you do not have interrupted drug coverage or have a Medicare premium penalty.

There are many resources available to answer questions about SeniorCare or Medicare Part D. These include:

The SeniorCare Hotline at 1-800-657-2038 for questions about SeniorCare.

The Prescription Drug Helpline at 1-866-456-8211 for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about Medicare Part D. This Helpline is sponsored by the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups Elder Law Center.

You can also contact your County Department on Aging if you would like to speak with an elderly benefit specialist.

Back to Medicare Part D Information