Medicare Part D Open Season

Congressman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05) today urged Fifth District seniors who may have changed their medications over the past year or are unsatisfied with their current Medicare Prescription Drugs Benefit (Part D) plan to consider other plan options to see if a new one may better suit their medical needs.  The “open season” for Medicare Part D opened November 15 and runs through December 31, 2007. 

“Medicare’s Part D program is helping to lower the cost of prescription drugs for millions of Americans,” Congressman Hensarling said.  “I encourage Part D enrollees across the Fifth District to review their current plan, compare it with a list of their medications, and see if it is still fits their needs so that seniors can realize all the benefits that Medicare can offer.”

Congressman Hensarling worked to create a prescription drug benefit program under Medicare that went into effect on January 1, 2006.  According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare Part D has saved seniors an average of $1,200 annually on prescription medication since being enacted into law. 

Since his election to Congress, Congressman Hensarling has fought for lower drug prices and provide more choices in health care for our nation’s seniors.  Earlier this year, he fought efforts to cut $157 billion from the Medicare Advantage program, which would have negatively impacted the benefits of over 8,500 seniors in the Fifth District of Texas. 

Seniors who would like additional information on changing their prescription drug plans should contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.