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The National Grange and Medicare Team Up
New Partnership Helps Seniors Save Money
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2006 – The National Grange and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have established a productive partnership to help people with Medicare become enrolled in Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. So far, 12 State Presidents have volunteered to mobilize their local chapters to help seniors in their communities. Volunteers will help people make an informed decision about the new benefit and enroll in a plan so they can start saving money on their prescription drugs now.
The Presidents that have stepped forward have started contacting local members who may want to help. Those members are receiving materials directly from Medicare and will be participating in an easy training program that CMS has specifically designed for Grange members. Once members become educated on the program and on the process to help a senior enroll in a plan, they will be ready to explain the ins and outs of the program and help local seniors pick a particular plan. This work may take place during special events organized by Grange members or may be done in conjunction with other events being held in the community. CMS is working closely with the State Presidents to identify various opportunities where a local Grange chapter could help.
There is not much time left as the initial enrollment period ends on May 15, 2006. This means that people with Medicare who enroll before then will start saving on their drug costs now. Unfortunately, those who wait will not have another opportunity to sign up until the end of the year and they may pay more for the same insurance benefit at that time.
If you would like to help people in you community and would be willing to quickly get up to speed on Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, please contact your State President or Richard Weiss, chief operating officer of the National Grange, at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 117.
CMS has the resources in place to train you, and they will welcome any and all volunteers to help with this important benefit to your community. |
