As part of Kaunoa Senior Services’ efforts, volunteers helped make tea leaf leis on Memorial Day last year.
WAILUKU — Changes to Medicare prescription drug plans could help thousands of Hawaiian kupunas save on copays.
Starting Jan. 1, more than 10% of people enrolled in unsubsidized drug insurance plans will save about $1,500 a year in out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, according to information from the American Association of Retired Persons. It is said that there is a possibility.
Previously, there was no cap on how much people had to pay for drugs through Medicare, but Medicare beneficiaries can expect a change when a key provision of the Inflation Control Act goes into effect next year.
The savings were made possible by a provision in the Prescription Drug Act of 2022 that caps out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 each year starting next year for 56 million people enrolled in Medicare drug plans in the United States.
AARP Hawaii State Director Keali Lopez says Medicare beneficiaries should be aware of the changes happening this year and that Maui kupuna should attend the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment Forum to be held at Kaunoa Senior Services in Paia. He said he can do just that. Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This effort is being done in partnership with AARP Hawaii and the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Lopez said the cost of prescriptions for Hawaii’s aging population is often a challenge.
“The cost of prescription drugs in general is an issue, which is why AARP has fought so hard for decades to help the government negotiate Medicare with drug companies. We’re seeing some of the benefits of this. “It’s starting to happen,” she said. .
He also said it was important for residents to re-register as previous plans may no longer exist.
“It’s complicated, but they work hard to make it easy,” she said of the upcoming workshop.
Leilani U. Soliben, a licensed sales agent with Premier Benefit Consultants and the host of the popular podcast “Kare For Kupuna,” will be hosting a hui on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. He said he will also host a Medicare workshop for Maui’s kupuna at No. Ke Ola Pono – A large multipurpose room at Cameron Center Maui’s Native Hawaiian Healthcare System Ornish.
She said now is definitely a good time for Hawaii’s elders to consider a plan.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of annual enrollment, so there are a lot of plans available in the county. Some plans are leaving the market and others are coming in, so there are a lot of changes that seniors should be aware of. There is no doubt about it,” she said.
Cecilia Suzuki, program specialist for the Leisure and Wellness Program at Kaunoa Senior Services Center, said Friday’s workshop is free and open to the public.
She said Kaunoa Senior Services serves more than 3,000 kupuna a year and that insurance savings and costs are among the issues facing this generation.
“Some people may have a tighter budget,” she says. “The cost of living, medicine, insurance, food prices, it’s huge.”
“Our mission is to provide you with the experiences and opportunities to have the best years of your retirement,” she added.
She said Kaunoa Senior Services Center partners with AARP to host these types of events so residents can “get educated, stay informed and learn new ideas.” .
Space is limited, so you can reserve your space by registering at aarp.org/local or the AARP Hawai`i Facebook page. For those unable to attend, a Zoom webinar will be held on November 12th at 10am.
Medicare Open Enrollment will run through Dec. 7 and will allow recipients to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage.
An estimated 19,034 Hawaiian kupuna are covered by Medicare prescription drug plans, according to an AARP article.
In Hawaii, the number of people who have met their Medicare prescription drug cap and are saving money will increase to 22,689 by 2029. The article also states that of Hawaii’s 167,442 unsubsidized Medicare Part D beneficiaries, about 11.9% will be eligible for prescription drug pricing. Savings for next year. The proportion of beneficiaries eligible for savings could rise to 13% in 2029.
