A big Vitality Hello! to our senior readers. Whether or not you have secured your affordable Medigap plan from Vitality, we are adamant that insurance Medicare supplemental plan – or Medigap for short – consumers can rely on the Vitality Blog to help deliver reliable information about what older California residents can expect as a result of Health Reform legislation passed into law earlier this spring as it relates to the various aspects of their health coverage. Today, let’s focus in on changes to prescription drug coverage and preventive care.

The Affordable Care Act means improvements in Medicare drug benefits and preventive care benefits including:

• Entering the Part D coverage gap or ‘donut hole’ this year? Medicare will issue you a one-time $250 rebate check if you’re not already receiving Medicare Extra Help. Please note: These checks will be issued automatically by Medicare – you do not need to apply with Medicare for a rebate check. (Please understand that you don’t need to provide any personal information like your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers to get the rebate check. Don’t give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the $250 rebate check. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1‑800-633-4227) to report anyone who does this. TTY users should call 1‑877‑486-2048.)
• While you should receive your rebate check within 45 days of entering the coverage gap, if you do not receive it in that time, please contact your Medicare drug plan to make sure all of your information has been sent to Medicare. If you still do not get your check, please call the 1-800-MEDICARE (1‑800-633-4227) number noted above for assistance.
• In 2011 – if you reach the coverage gap – you will receive a 50% discount when purchasing Part D covered brand name prescription drugs.
• Additional savings will be phased in until the coverage gap is closed entirely in 2020.

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• The Affordable Care Act also means important new benefits that help you and your spouse stay healthy by assisting you in being more proactive about your health care strategies: In 2011 you can get free preventive care services like colorectal cancer screening and mammograms. You can also get a free annual physical to develop and update your personal health care plan strategy based on a current knowledge of your health and health needs.

That’s a quick recap of where things stand on prescription drug benefits and preventive care for Medicare clients. While the Vitality Blog is dedicated to providing clear, concise information about important developments related to Medicare and Medigap Plans, please know our team of California health insurance professionals is standing by and ready to personally assist you with any questions or concerns you may have on changes to Medicare, recent changes to Medigap plans, or if you’d like to discuss the vital importance of maintaining a solid California long term care insurance strategy that provides peace of mind. A quick reminder: Our client services are always free. You and/or a spouse never pay for the careful, considerate consultation or client service a Vitality team member provides.