Consumer Groups Fight To Eliminate Part D Late Enrollment Penalty
Wednesday September 20, 2006
As the current session of Congress winds down, consumer groups are working hard to promote legislation which will eliminate the Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty, which could affect as many as 1 million Medicare beneficiaries. This penalty applies to people who were eligible for Medicare Part D before May 15, 2006 but did not enroll in the prescription drug program. It is a lifelong penalty, which means that beneficiaries who are penalized will have to pay an additional fee to the Part D program every month for the rest of their lives. To learn more, see this article in the Sacramento Bee.
Comments
I am a 57 year old widow with multible sclerosis who is being penalized for late enrollment $154.20. I work a part time seasonal job and will continue to do so as long as my health permits, My checks from my job vary usually about $130.00 every two weeks. During the winter I live off my SS or what is left after my penality is taken off, which leaves me with $966.00. This amount has to cover my rent, ulities, car repairs etc. I do not even have the money to get fuel to stay warm this winter. I also pay $58.00 a month for my acess card (welfare) which leaves me with $908.00 to live off of. Why do they use your gross income when we live off the net?
I am so scared and my nerves are a reck! My Doctor tells me to keep the stress level down, but how can I do that trying to live of such a low income?
PLEASE, help!
Thank you, Barbara R McEvoy