article-85537.xml

WASHINGTON A new campaign aimed at raising education on the Medicare 2009 prescription drug coverage open enrollment window, from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 of this year, is getting pushes from healthcare industry leaders.

As part of the campaign, results of a recent satisfaction survey were released which show that the vast majority of seniors are happy with their Medicare prescription drug coverage. Most seniors said that their plan adequately delivers what was promised when they signed up, Released survey results said. Also, about eight out of 10 seniors surveyed said they are “better off now than before the program.”

About 85 percent said that co-payments and monthly premiums are affordable. Ninety-one percent said their plans were a good value. And 71 percent said with their Medicare Part D plans they’ve lowered their prescription drug spending.

“It is extremely important for beneficiaries, especially those with limited income, to take advantage of the choice, convenience and cost savings that Medicare’s prescription drug plans offer them,” Healthcare Leadership Council president Mary Grealy said in a statement. “This national campaign will help make sure seniors are aware that now is the time to enroll in a plan or review their current Medicare drug plan.”

The Healthcare Leadership Council is a coalition of several healthcare companies and organizations.

A boost to the Medicare Part D open enrollment campaign includes TV ads, media reports and cooperation from more and grassroots organizations is spreading the message of increased satisfaction with Medicare Part D plans.

The survey was conducted by telephone and included patients 65 and older enrolled in Medicare during Sept. 16 through 22. The survey’s margin of error was reported at plus or minus 3.1 percent. The complete results are available at www.medicaretoday.org.