Local Agencies Carry the Part D Burden Without Compensation

None by KCPW

Feds Offer Materials But Little Money

(KCPW News) Local agencies and senior centers have born the brunt of the burden helping tens of thousands of Utah seniors navigate the complex enrollment process for the new Medicare drug benefit. Unfortunately, many of those local groups have not been compensated for their heavy lifting.

Peter Hebertson, Medicare Program Manager at Salt Lake County Aging Services says the funding situation is frustrating. He's had nine part-time employees on staff for more than a year to handle the flood of calls and office visits from seniors. Dozens of drug plan options and the online enrollment form have caused considerable confusion among Medicare recipients.

Regional Medicare Administrator Tod Anderson says local agencies like Salt Lake County Aging Services are responsible for keeping the enrollment system afloat. However, the national center for medicare has focused on providing pamphlets and online information to local agencies, rather than cash. To cover his costs, Hebertson has had to fundraise from pharmaceutical companies and the National Council on Aging.

The next week could be the busiest for Salt Lake County Aging Services. May 15th is the deadline for Part D enrollment. 74,000 Medicare recipients in Utah have yet to sign up for the plan, and missing the deadline will force them to wait another year before they can enroll.

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