Network to educate public on Medicare Part D

The Medicare Rx Access Network of Missouri is one of 50 state-based programs of the national Medicare Rx Education Network with a primary purpose of sharing information about Medicare Part D drug coverage.

The new coverage, beginning Jan. 1, could provide Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with savings on their prescription medicines. Medicare previously covered only hospitalization and visits to the doctor, and prescription coverage was a state-administered program.

Enrollment for the new benefit begins Nov. 15. Detailed information will be available later this month, and employers and unions will send the information to their former employees and members.

The network represents seniors, patients, people with disabilities and chronic disease, pharmacists, health care providers and patient advocates from across Missouri. Local network partners include AIDS Project of the Ozarks, NAMI Southwest Missouri, United Way of the Ozarks and Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation.

Rosalyn Buckner, assistant client services director for AIDS Project of the Ozarks, said each partner’s role is to pass information on to people who will be choosing from about 40 drug programs in Missouri in the next several months.

“The goal is to be educated on Medicare Part D and be able to assist anyone who is going to be utilizing that service,” she said. “We’ll put that information on the table for people to help them make that decision for themselves.”