Think Sarah! LLC
Professional Speaking
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Blessing or Curse?
By Sarah J.L. DeDonatis
Any one of us can look in the mirror and see a person affected or soon to be affected by Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. Even if you have years before you yourself can use the benefit, you will most likely need to assist someone in your life in the near future. Today is January 5th, 2006 and I went over to my Mother’s home to assist my Grandmother in applying for her first round of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. I know that it was quite late with the enrollment deadline being January 30th but my Mother just requested my help on Christmas Eve’s Eve! Not a problem, my concern was helping out my Grandmother.
I arrived at my Mother’s home around 12:45p.m. with the hopes that I would be done with the enrollment process before I got hungry for lunch. The first plan of attack was to visit websites to enroll her without the use of the telephone. “It is so easy” people from the Medicare department told me during my 2 conferences attended that year on the subject. “Just go on line and they will walk you through it.” Ya right!
While gathering information from my Grandmother and organizing it, she just sat and watched me helping out where she could. She would pipe up once in a while saying: “I don’t know what you are doing but you are working so hard. Thank you for whatever it is.” I just love her!
Starting to fill out the information with Social Security online I realized that she needed no assistance in paying for the insurance. I quickly abandoned that site. Next I called AARP where my Grandmother has health insurance and started the first “on hold” wait, only ten minutes this time. We had been given the wrong number and could be transferred but I needed to be put on hold again. I waited for about 15 minutes and told my Grandmother that I was going to stay on hold and run home to get something to eat; it is now 2:30 p.m. I live next door to my parents and Grandmother and my cordless stretches, so the trip home was doable. I ran home scarfed down some spaghetti and after about 10 more minutes someone came to the line. I found out that the AARP prescription plans did not cover ANY of my Grandmother’s medications. The lady on the phone suggested calling my Grandmothers pharmacy. I told her that I didn’t think they were allowed to help, but that I would try.
Calling up Grandma’s pharmacy they advertised that they could help while I waited on hold (again) for a human voice. When someone came to the phone, she said that they couldn’t help us choose a provider and to call Medicare. That wasn’t helping…what ever happened to truth in advertising?
Finally I conceded and called up Medicare. Much to my surprise I didn’t wait too very long on hold. Eventually a nice gentleman came to the phone and he walked me through everything and helped me sign my Grandmother up for a plan. He ran through three different programs that fit her needs, the only issue was that he went through them very fast. The little bit of information that I scribbled down was all that I had to go on to make this decision for her. He didn’t seem to understand the enormity of this decision. What I chose is what my Grandmother has to live with for a whole year! Ultimately, I picked the correct insurance, at least the correct insurance for now. If I am wrong, she is stuck with it until next year. I do have to say that I felt like a criminal being my Grandmothers representative. With all of their questions they ended up asking me, they know everything but my underwear size. I guess that is so they know who to go back to if the information was incorrect! No pressure there.
In hindsight I might have done it wrong, maybe even not listened correctly at those conferences, but I cannot see how each and every person over 64 years old can do it themselves. It is situations like this that remind me of the importance of keeping in contact with the seniors in our lives. You never know how you can be of assistance to them, most of the time a little help here and there is more than enough. It will mean the world to you both to cultivate that relationship.
If this helped you and you would like to receive a free copy of Sarah’s “Top Ten Tips to Find a Long-Term Care Facility”, email Sarah at Top10TipsLTC@thinksarah.com.
I just want to share with you one more parting thought about this situation. The one common thread of advice that everyone had said to me today was, “look it up on the internet.” How many seniors do you know have extensive knowledge of the internet? Not many, that is for sure! I found the internet system confusing and I am a Generation X-er!! Maybe those organizations who service the senior population need to understand that even with new technology and their embrace of it, they still need to cater to all people whom they serve.
A quick follow-up, my Grandmother was happy with her insurance but unhappy with the co-pays. So in 2007 I will help her change again. Story coming soon…
About the Author; Sarah DeDonatis is a professional speaker who provides educational presentations on Elder and Caregiver needs. She can provide education on new programs impacting the senior population, stress relief for seniors and caregivers and education on elder abuse plus many other topics. Having her present on these topics will educate and empower seniors and caregivers alike. She is a proud member of the National Speakers Association and the proud owner of Think Sarah! LLC. You can contact Sarah by emailing her at articles@thinksarah.com.