The New Medicare Drug Benefit: What Consumers Need to Know

Beginning January 1, 2006 there will be a new Medicare prescription drug benefit. This document includes important information for everyone who currently has Medicare or both Medicare and Medicaid. If you currently get your health care covered by Medicare, including those who have some Medicare costs paid through Medicaid, this prescription drug coverage will be a new benefit. If you currently have both Medicare and Medicaid, as of January 1, 2006, you will begin receiving your prescription drugs through Medicare only.

There are some important differences in how the prescription drug benefit will work for specific groups. This document is separated into two sections according to the two groups affected by the new drug benefit. These groups are:

1. Medicare beneficiaries with Part A or B coverage more
   
   
2. Individuals who currently have both Medicare and Medicaid (known as full benefit dual eligibles); individuals who have some of their Medicare costs covered through Medicaid, including Medicare Part B premiums, but do not have any Medicaid health benefits (known as partial benefit dual eligibles); and individuals with SSI only (no Medicaid) more

Find the section above that applies to you and learn more about the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

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