Due to State budget reductions, the Illinois Cares Rx program ended July 1, 2012. You should have received a letter from Illinois Cares Rx.
If you cannot afford your new Medicare Part D premiums and copays for prescription drugs, please contact the following:
- The Social Security Office at 1-800-722-1213 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
- Apply online at www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp
- Call the Illinois Department of Aging Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966. TTY users should call 1-888-206-1327.
- Contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE). TTY users call 1-877-486-2048. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- You may also contact your State Medicaid office.
You also have the opportunity to change plans if you desire to do so. If you want to change plans, you must enroll in the new plan between JULY 1, 2012 and JULY 31, 2012. If you choose to change your plan at a later time, the next time you are eligible to change plans would be during the Annual Enrollment Period, OCTOBER 15, 2012 TO DECEMBER 7, 2012 in which case your effective date for the new plan would be JANUARY 1, 2013.
Illinois Cares Rx members who receive Prescription Drug only coverage may move to comprehensive Medicare Advantage plan, which includes both medical services and prescription drug benefits. In Cook County, there are several programs that have no monthly premiums, and at least one of these programs offers comprehensive dental services with no extra premium charges.
Members who are receiving both Prescription Drug and Medical Services benefits through a Medicare Advantage program may change their Medicare Advantage program to an alternative Medicare Advantage program, which may offer additional benefits, such as Dental, Vision, and Hearing coverage at no additional premium cost.
Medicare patients may also elect to pay the premiums for their current programs, which will vary according to the program they are currently enrolled in. It would be advisable for Medicare patients to evaluate their current situation before they are locked into their program for the rest of 2012.
For any questions, please call Senator Kotowski’s District Office at 1.847.656.5414.
