City Offers Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Assistance

City Offers Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Assistance

Date of Record: March 24, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2006

For more information, contact:
Nancy Woolery, Health Projects Coordinator, Community & Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349-3851
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington in partnership with two local agencies will be offering computer training sessions to assist citizens with the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The individual, one-hour training sessions will take place on March 27, April 18 and 25, and May 9 from 8 a.m. - noon at the City's Adult Community Center (BACC), 349 S. Walnut Street.

"The new prescription benefit is confusing because beneficiaries are faced with too many choices," Kruzan said. "For example, in Indiana there are 43 drug plans. We hope this program will reduce the stress and frustration many people have already experienced during enrollment."

The City's Community and Family Resources and Parks and Recreation Departments are joining forces with Area 10 Agency on Aging and Senior Cybernet to provide the training and assistance. The deadline for enrollment in the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit plan is May 15, 2006. Those wishing to enroll after the deadline will pay penalty fines.

Training-session participants must bring prescription medications to the training sessions. Program volunteers will walk participants through the Medicare web site. Volunteers will not officially enroll participants in the Medicare program but will provide three different prescription plan options and the participant will make the final decision.

For participants needing transportation, the BACC can be reached by the Bloomington Transit bus line.

Sessions are by appointment only; please call Community and Family Resources at 349-3430 to reserve a time slot or visit [www.bloomington.in.gov/cfrd] for more information.

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