We cannot in good conscience abandon our seniors.  We must ensure that our seniors continue to receive necessary medicine and know where to turn during this complicated and confusing Medicare transition, said Castor.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kathy Castor today proposed a reversal of a recent decision by Hillsborough HealthCare to unilaterally revoke prescription drug benefits for seniors.  Hillsborough HealthCare provides prescription drug coverage to qualified, low-income citizens who cannot afford necessary medications. 

Hillsborough HealthCare notified enrollees over 65 on January 1st that, effective immediately, they would no longer receive prescription medicine because seniors are now eligible for the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program. 

But the deadline for enrolling in the new Medicare program is May 15, and large numbers of seniors in Hillsborough County and across the nation have yet to sign up for Medicare Part D because it is too confusing and offers a bewildering array of options.

“Many seniors in our area are being forced into unfamiliar prescription drug HMOs.  The transition has proved to be confusing and full of uncertainty and frustration for patients, pharmacists and doctors,” said Castor.  Castor’s proposal would allow the Hillsborough HealthCare enrollees to continue to receive benefits through the county plan until their enrollment in the Medicare program has been confirmed and the benefits from the Medicare Part D are in place.  Currently there are over 1,500 patients receiving prescription drugs through Hillsborough HealthCare. 

“We cannot, in good conscience, abandon our seniors,” Castor told her colleagues on the County Commission.  “We must ensure that our seniors continue to receive necessary medicine and know where to turn during this complicated and confusing Medicare transition.”

“Cutting off medicine for seniors enrolled in Hillsborough HealthCare several months before the Medicare deadline is shortsighted,” said Castor.  “Many seniors could suffer because they will not have the medication they depend on during this gap in coverage.  This will not only cause unnecessary suffering for seniors but it will end up costing taxpayers more when the county has to pay for otherwise avoidable emergency room visits and hospital stays from resulting complications. Our citizens ought to have the sufficient time and assistance to make this important transition.”

Castor was joined Wednesday by several Hillsborough County residents who shared stories regarding the confusing nature of the Medicare Part D.  Castor also highlighted the problems being faced by dialysis treatments getting to their doctor’s offices, representing another unexpected consequence of the new Medicare Part D implementation.  Commissioner Castor noted that the county must help provide resources for all Hillsborough residents in need of help in applying for the new Medicare drug coverage and sorting through the various options they face.

The County Commission voted 7-0 to study the problems faced by seniors and will take up the measure at a later date.