By Megan Nichols Anderson Independent-Mail
March 25, 2006

South Carolina seniors are steadily getting enrolled in Medicare Part D - the new prescription drug plan - but there are still many who need to sign up before the May 15 deadline, officials said this week.

Part D enrollment, which began in January, was initially plagued with problems caused largely by technical glitches. Also, seniors complained of confusion when trying to choose a plan; Part D offers many options.

Still, almost 63 percent of South Carolina's qualified seniors have chosen their plans, said Patrick Cobb, spokesman for AARP South Carolina. Mr. Cobb said the process has become simpler as kinks are worked out in the system. Call times in January and February were very high, with some people who said they waited more than an hour on hold. So the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services added personnel to be on hand when seniors call, he said.

Those who fail to sign up by May 15 will be assessed a 1 percent-per-month penalty until they enroll in a plan. The next open enrollment begins Nov. 15. But Beverly Allen, aging program coordinator for the Appalachian Council of Government, said no one has been informing seniors that everyone might not need Part D.

"Some people already have good coverage through their retirement, through the VA or through their insurance and they may not need this plan," she said. "All people are hearing is that they better sign up or they'll get a penalty, but I want people to make an informed decision."

Mr. Cobb said that for those who don't have good prescription coverage, Part D could be a good bargain. He said that even people who might not be taking many prescription drugs should enroll.

"I tell people to look at this like car insurance," he said. "Sure, you may not need it now, but it's something you could need in the future."

Kim Reyes, who has been helping seniors at Senior Solutions in Anderson, said that although high numbers of people were coming in to obtain help early in the year, that number has tapered off.

"It kind of worries me because I know that there are so many people who still need to get signed up," she said.

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