By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – A new health care advocacy group is teaching Missouri seniors about the upcoming Medicare prescription drug benefit program. Starting January 1, 900,000 seniors will be able to choose between 15 separate benefit plans.
Missouri Pharmacy Association CEO Ron Fitzwater is a member of the new group, called the Medicare R-X Access Network of Missouri.
He says initially, pharmacists may see a huge demand from new enrollees.
If we can get people covered by this Medicare insurance, we think the demand on the health care system over time should relax, if we can get people compliant with their medication so they're not splitting pills or going without their pills," Fitzwater said.
The enrollment period for the Medicare prescription drug plan runs from November 15 through May 15.