Rhode Island Senior Beat s1

Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs John O. Pastore Center Hazard Building 74 West Road Cranston, RI 02920

RHODE ISLAND SENIOR BEAT

RELEASE: Friday, August 14, 2009 CONTACT: Larry Grimaldi 462-0509 [email protected]

RIPAE MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO A SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS Cranston---Participants in the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly (RIPAE) program are eligible to change their Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) one time each calendar year in addition to Medicare’s annual enrollment period of November 15th through December 31st. The opportunity to make this change is referred to as a “Special Enrollment Period.” If your current Medicare Part D plan is not meeting your needs, you may select a different plan one other time during the calendar year. Please take note that if you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP- (i.e. Blue ChiP or United Health Care) that includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, a change in your Medicare Part D plan will result in a loss of primary health care coverage with the Medicare Advantage Plan. If this happens, you will revert back to Original Medicare as your primary health coverage. To avoid cancellation or interruption in your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage, you are advised NOT to make a change. Please remember that if you are a RIPAE member and DO NOT wish to change your Medicare Part D plan, you DO NOT have to take any action. For more information on this SEP, please contact one of the following agencies before making any change to your Medicare Part D plan:

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1 RI Senior Beat-Friday, August 14, 2009-special enrollment period-page 2 RI Department of Elderly Affairs: (462-3000 or 462-0740 TTY), THE POINT: (462- 4444), Child and Family Services of Newport: 849-2300, Cranston Senior Services: 461-1000, East Bay Community Action: 437-1000, Johnston Senior Center: 944-3343, Leon Mathieu Senior Center in Pawtucket: 728-7582, South County Community Action: 789-3016, St. Martin dePorres Center in Providence: 274-6783, Tri-Town Community Action in Northern Rhode Island: 351-2750, West Warwick Senior Center: 822-4450, Westbay Community Action: 732- 4660, or Woonsocket Senior Services at 766-3734. The RIPAE program pays a portion of the cost of prescriptions used to treat a number of medical conditions for eligible Rhode Island residents 65 and older. Individuals with an annual income up to $20,934 and married couples with a combined annual income up to $26,170 receive a 60% discount off the price of approved medications. Individuals with an annual income up to $26,279 and married couples with a combined annual income up to $32,851 receive a 30% discount. Individuals with an annual income up to $45,991 and married couples with a combined income not exceeding $52,561 receive a 15% discount. In order to qualify for RIPAE, seniors and adults with disabilities must enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D) and verify this enrollment to the Department of Elderly Affairs. Income guidelines increase each year in accordance with the Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA). RIPAE enrollees can purchase all other FDA-approved prescriptions (except for those used to treat cosmetic conditions) at a 15% discount. Also under RIPAE, Rhode Island residents between 55 and 64 who are receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) payments and who meet specified income limits, can purchase medications (except those prescribed for cosmetic conditions) at a 15% discount. The annual income limits for those receiving SSDI are $45,991 for a single person and $52,561 for a married couple. For more information on RIPAE, call the Department of Elderly Affairs at 462-3000. TTY users can call 462-0740. You can also get information from THE POINT at 463-4444. -more-

2 RI Senior Beat-Friday, August 14, 2009-special enrollment-page 3 Questions for Rhode Island Senior Beat may be mailed to the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs, John O. Pastore Center, 74 West Road-2nd floor, Cranston, RI 02920. Questions can also be e-mailed to [email protected]. For a confidential discussion about questions, issues or problems regarding growing older, call DEA at 462-3000. Seniors, families, and caregivers can also call THE POINT Resource Center at 462-4444.