A new prescription drug plan is in the works as a result of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

The goal is to make prescription drugs more affordable for the elderly, disabled and poor.  For people in the DD system who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, this means Medicare will begin paying for their prescriptions Jan. 1, 2006.  This provision is often referred to as Medicare Part D.

People who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid are called "dual eligible."  People in this category are the poor, elderly, and non-elderly disabled.

For the developmentally disabled population in New Hampshire, "dual eligible" would include people receiving Home and Community Based Waiver Services and adults receiving SSI or SSDI.

The New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental Services wants to help everyone prepare for this change in coverage and will be posting updates about the new Medicare law and how it will affect people with disabilities, program administrators throughout the DD system, and families.

On-Line Resources

Find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

This tool is designed to help compare the benefits of different plans.

 

 

Web Casts

Topics include Overview of Prescription Drug Coverage Enrollment Process and "Ask the Experts" sessions.

 

Arc and UCP -  "Ensuring Continuity of Care for Dual Eligible:  A Guide to Transition from Medicaid to Medicare's Prescription Drug Coverage"

This website contains an introduction to the basics of transitioning to Part D, a timeline of key dates, glossary of terms and list of additional resources for guide users.