Medicare Oklahoma Launches Education Tour
Citizen group aims to educate Oklahoma seniors on options for prescription drug coverage
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (PRWEB) October 5, 2005
Medicare Oklahoma, a group advocating education on new prescription drug benefits for seniors, today launched a campaign to educate Oklahoma senior citizens on Medicare “Part D” prescription drug coverage. The group was formed to help Oklahomans take full advantage of an enhanced Medicare program by providing the information needed to make educated decisions that could impact their health.
“Trying to understand Medicare benefits is confusing,” said Renzi Stone, statewide spokesman for Medicare Oklahoma. “With the launch of ‘Part D’ it is more important than ever those seniors have knowledge of how to accept benefits in Oklahoma. Beginning October 1st, seniors will be deluged with competing information regarding prescription drug benefits for Medicare recipients.
As part of a grassroots effort, Medicare Oklahoma will be traveling across central Oklahoma holding informal community meetings to present detailed information in an easy to understand format from CMS, the operating Government body for Medicare. Following education sessions, Medicare Oklahoma personnel will answer questions from participants. The first meeting will be on October 11 from 5 p. m. to 7 p. m. at Mayfair Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
According to Stone, many of the groupÂ’s presenters and organizers are senior citizens who understand the need for education on the issue and can relate on a personal level to those affected by the changes to the Medicare program.
“As a group formed with the expressed purpose of educating, we are working to make sure our elders fully understand how changes in Medicare will affect them and offer every opportunity to help them make the right decisions for their unique circumstances,” said Stone. “‘Part D’ benefits will provide great coverage for Oklahoma seniors at a reasonable cost.”
Medicare Oklahoma is promoting four facts every Medicare eligible senior should know:
•People on Medicare can begin enrolling for prescription drug coverage as early as November 15
•Approximately one-third of people with Medicare will qualify for extra prescription support
•If seniors already receive good drug coverage from their employer or union, Medicare can help keep that coverage secure
•Everyone with Medicare must make a decision about their drug coverage before May 15; delayed enrollment will result in a penalty fee
For more information about Medicare Oklahoma, community meetings, or for more information on “Part D” please contact Medicare Oklahoma at (405)607-0058 or P. O. Box 54611, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1611.
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