Fwd: URGENT: Medicare Part D Advocacy Needed

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URGENT: Medicare Part D Advocacy Needed

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:Medicare Part D Transition Plan Breaks Down: Your Action Is Needed Today!Background: There was fair warning to national and state policy makers that a system change of this magnitude to the Medicare program would inevitably have

“glitches” and adversely effect certain beneficiaries previously getting their medications under special Medicaid programs. Those fears and concerns have become a reality to thousands in the

state and across the nation in spite of comprehensive planning by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) that included several “safety-net” provisions. What happened and who is getting hurt?• Major systemic break downs in data systems and communications have created multiple problems for pharmacists, large and small, that prevented them from dispensing drugs. Often there is no proof of coverage or the right ID number for the patient.• Low-income and chronically ill patients are not getting their medications or only receiving a three day supply instead of the 30 day transitional supply.• Pharmacists and insurance

companies reported the “help lines” are overloaded.• Medically needy recipients are no longer able to meet their share of cost and are among those incorrectly being charged

the high $250 deductible. • Persons with extremely serious conditions such as transplant survivors and severe mental illness are unable to get medically necessary drugs. 5 Ways To TAKE ACTION:Message: Share real stories with the contacts below. Tell them to act quickly to implement a temporary emergency intervention plan that would allow a 30 day supply of medications to assure people with life threatening health conditions and severe chronic illness. Some states have already stepped up to the plate to bridge Medicare transition for the people who are caught in the technical

chaos of change. 1. CMS and DHHS

, Acting Administrator at the CMS Regional Office: Sec. Leavitt, Department of Health and Human Services: 2. Florida congressional delegation Sen. Mel ez: mel_martinez@... Sen. Bill : senator@... For Representative, call the Capitol Switchboard: 1-3. Florida

state officials Click here for your state officials. 4. Governor Bush Gov. Bush: 850- 488-4441 jeb.bush@...5. Have your ORGANIZATION sign on to the attached letter TODAY. Click here to view letter written by National Senior Citizens Law Center and email Jeanne Finberg at jfinberg@... with sign on confirmation before NOON today. Additional Resource: You can order a Medicare Rx Consumer Workbook put out by the National Mental Health Association by calling 1-. |This message was sent by Florida CHAIN. For more information, visit www.floridachain.org or call .

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