In 2003, the Federal Government voted to expand Medicare coverage to include Pharmacy Coverage known as Medicare Part D. This
became effective January 1, 2006. If enrolled in a LAPRA medical plan, you and
your covered dependents already have pharmacy benefits provided by LAPRA through
Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser that are much better than those available through
Medicare Part D. Therefore, the Federal Government has encouraged plans such as
ours to continue to provide pharmacy coverage.
If you are enrolled as a Retiree in a LAPRA medical plan and you or any of your
covered dependents are eligible for, and enroll in, Medicare Part D through a
plan other than the LAPRA Anthem Blue Cross or Kaiser Plans, your premium costs
may be higher.
MEDICARE DEFINITIONS
Part A: Pays for
inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home
health care. For each benefit period Medicare pays all covered
costs except Medicare Part A deductible (2012=$1,156) during the
first 60 days and coinsurance amounts for hospital stays that
last beyond 60 days and no more than 150 days.
Part B: Covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, and durable medical equipment.
Part D: This is the prescription drug benefit that became available to Medicare Part A and/or Part B beneficiaries beginning January 1, 2006. Eligible individuals include all retirees and dependents eligible for Medicare Part A or enrolled in Part B.