MEDICARE PART D UPDATE 03: On 13 Oct 05 Representative Tom Udall, (D-NM) sharply criticized the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) for incorrectly informing Medicare beneficiaries about their prescription drug options. As 40 million households received "Medicare and You" handbooks from the federal government in the mail recently, it has been confirmed that there is incorrect information in the guide. The handbooks mistakenly informed low-income Medicare beneficiaries that the federal government will cover the premium for any prescription drug plan they choose. In fact, low-income beneficiaries must enroll in a plan at or below a benchmark cost to receive the full subsidy. If low-income seniors and disabled Americans follow the guidelines in the handbook, and they choose a plan greater than the specific price, they will have to pay any additional costs themselves. Despite widespread calls to send out . corrected handbooks, -the Bush administration has refused to do so.

The handbook error is not the first problem associated with the implementation of the drug benefit. CMS also confirmed this week that it has missed its deadline for establishing an Internet site to help potential participants chose among the many plans offered by the new program. The service is supposed to allow beneficiaries to enter their current prescriptions and other information. The service will then list options, including co-payments and monthly premiums. CMS has not indicated when the web site will be ready. There have also been widespread reports that beneficiaries calling 1-800-MEDICARE have been .given wrong advice. Udall's position is that Medicare beneficiaries deserve to know the facts in order to make the best decision on whether to join the program and to learn which plan best meets their needs. If the implementation of the new benefit is not improved, the benefit may