The deadline to sign up for Medicare’s prescription drug program has come and gone, but a bipartisan group of politicians is pushing to eliminate the late fee for beneficiaries who missed the deadline. The next open enrollment period begins in November. (Kaiser Network)
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt wants Congress to wait until final enrollment numbers are determined before passing the legislation. I agree.
The proposed legislation would cost taxpayers $18 million to help beneficiaries sign up, although a final count has yet to be determined. How did they arrive at that figure? Politicians are presuming that those who didn’t sign up were confused about the drug plan. That may not be the case at all.
See also Bipartisan Senate Group Seeks to Lift Late Fee on Medicare Drug Plan
