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WALKER PLAN WILL IMPACT SENIORS
Friday, March 4th, 2011 -- 10:10 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
Governor Scott Walker released his budget proposal Tuesday. The bill has garnered plenty of attention because of its huge cuts to payments to local governments, like schools, cities and counties, but there’s also a big change for seniors.
The state’s SeniorCare plan wouldn’t be eliminated, but thousands of Wisconsin residents would be forced to use Medicare Part D as their primary prescription drug plan.
Department of Aging Benefits Specialist Bonnie Langreck says Clark County has 1,500 people on SeniorCare, which is a better deal then Part D, and a lot easier to understand.
"The income limits are generous under SeniorCare," Langreck notes. "(If they) qualify under level 1, they have no deductible and very reasonable co-payments and a $30 per year premium.
She says SeniorCare is "simple and has good coverage." The state's plan doesn't consider assets, Medicare does.
"Even a very low income, single person having over $12,150 in assets would have to pay the same premium for a Medicare Part D plan than Bill Gates would pay," Langreck says.
And, if Walker’s plan is approved, residents that qualify for Medicare Part D, but don’t take any prescriptions, may also be forced to sign up for the plan, instead of SeniorCare.
The reason: Medicare Part D penalizes eligible seniors who don't sign up, unless they carry "creditable coverage."
"There are a number of people that take no medications whatsoever. SeniorCare has been a wonderful ace in the hole for them. $30 for the year is usually not bread and butter money," Langreck says. "If this goes through, they're going to have to pick a Medicare Part D plan, even if they're not taking any meds."
Under Walker's plan, nearly all seniors would have to sign up for the federal plan in January. Medicare Part D has options costing $15 to $110 a month, with an average of $58 a month, while SeniorCare costs $30 a year, plus minimal co-pays.
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