Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is an Insurance Policy, NOT an Entitlement Program

Medicare D is considered a “safety net” in case someone gets really sick one day and the medications cost thousands of dollars. It’s like auto insurance; everyone carries it just in case they get into a car accident. If they get in an accident, they will pay a small deductible to fix the car as opposed to the total cost to fix it.
Chrystal Rushing, a Pharm.D. Candidate from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and intern with Mary Beth Salisbury, CED, Osceola County Extension Service. Quoted by Laura Royer in Financial Focus A quarterly newsletter by the Financial Management and Economic Well-Being Focus Team, Vo. 1, #1.

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub l. 108-173) created what has been called the greatest benefit to older Americans since Medicare was originally enacted in 1965. Commonly known as Medicare Part D, this act provides government supported insurance specifically designed to reduce the financial burdens associated with the costs of prescription drugs.

While this is a well-intentioned program with great potential, it continues to be very confusing to older Americans who are faced with choosing the prescription drug plan that best suits their needs.

This website and the training are designed to support the information county Extension faculty and their representatives will need to teach older Floridians about Medicare Part D.

Program Goals

Share information about Medicare Part D

Explain decisions to be made by Medicare recipient

Help person enroll in Medicare Part D

The information in this document and the assistance provided by the presenter of this information is intended as an educational guide for Medicare participants. The Medicare recipient is solely responsible for making the final decision regarding his or her choice of Medicare Part D plans. Specific questions regarding Medicare Part D should be directed to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

This in-service training is funded by Florida Cooperative Extension Service. EEO