Post by palealeman on Jun 22, 2018 14:10:15 GMT -5
I'm a State of Maryland retiree. My current prescription plan is through the State.
About a month ago, I got a letter from the State notifying me that, as of January 1, 2019, I would no longer receive State coverage and would have to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. The letter was quick to point out that the change was scheduled for July 1, 2019, but that nasty General Assembly would not listen to the Governor and moved the date up six months because the Federal Government was ending the "donut hole" earlier than expected.
Yes, I was a bit upset. The State coverage is good. To have to switch means I have to do some homework, look around an compare plans, both for me and my wife. And there's a good chance that we'll end up paying more for coverage and drugs, which is never good on a fixed income.
The part about the six month change didn't bother me. Since Medicare programs run for the calendar year, it's probably a better time to switch anyway.
Today I had to go to the Post Office to pick up a certified letter. Much to my surprise, the letter was from the State, again telling me about the change to prescription coverage, with two entire paragraphs bolded about the big bad General Assembly and how the Assembly wouldn't listen to the Governor and his minions about changing the effective date. The letter was an offer to help us find information on the various Medicare programs, but also noted that no information is available for 2019 on any provider web site yet.
I can understand the first letter. I can also understand sending a follow-up letter. But sending this letter by certified mail? To how many State retirees?
Thank you, Gov. Hogan and Sec. Brinkley, for needlessly wasting more of our State tax dollars.
About a month ago, I got a letter from the State notifying me that, as of January 1, 2019, I would no longer receive State coverage and would have to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. The letter was quick to point out that the change was scheduled for July 1, 2019, but that nasty General Assembly would not listen to the Governor and moved the date up six months because the Federal Government was ending the "donut hole" earlier than expected.
Yes, I was a bit upset. The State coverage is good. To have to switch means I have to do some homework, look around an compare plans, both for me and my wife. And there's a good chance that we'll end up paying more for coverage and drugs, which is never good on a fixed income.
The part about the six month change didn't bother me. Since Medicare programs run for the calendar year, it's probably a better time to switch anyway.
Today I had to go to the Post Office to pick up a certified letter. Much to my surprise, the letter was from the State, again telling me about the change to prescription coverage, with two entire paragraphs bolded about the big bad General Assembly and how the Assembly wouldn't listen to the Governor and his minions about changing the effective date. The letter was an offer to help us find information on the various Medicare programs, but also noted that no information is available for 2019 on any provider web site yet.
I can understand the first letter. I can also understand sending a follow-up letter. But sending this letter by certified mail? To how many State retirees?
Thank you, Gov. Hogan and Sec. Brinkley, for needlessly wasting more of our State tax dollars.
