The new prescription drug plan is coming in 2006!

• Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare beneficiaries who fail to enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug plan (known as Medicare Part D) may miss out on thousands of dollars in savings.

• Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in the wrong prescription drug plan (one that doesn't cover their particular medications, for example) may cost themselves thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs before being permitted to switch plans.

• Most Medicare beneficiaries who do not enroll in the new drug plan by May 15, 2006 will be penalized when they later enroll -- the penalty is 1% per month in additional premium cost for every month they were not enrolled, and this higher cost is permanent.

The chapter on Medicare (Chapter 11) contains a whole new section discussing Part D prescription drug coverage. This section discusses eligibility, premiums & deductibles, restrictions on coverage, and deciding which plan is right for you.

The chapter on Medicare Procedures (Chapter 12) also has a new section about enrollment & procedures. It discusses enrolling and switching plans, exceptions for coverage (for example, getting the plan to approve a drug that's not on its formulary), and appeals of adverse coverage decisions.

Also, the new prescription drug coverage affects Medigap and managed care plans, discussed in Chapters 13 and 14.

An essential tool for everyone over 55, this book shows readers how to cut through the bureaucracy to get their slab of the pie. Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions clearly explains what the different benefits are, and shows you how to claim what you've earned, including:

- Social Security retirement and disability benefits - Social Security dependents and survivor benefits - Supplemental Security Income - federal, state and local government pensions - Medicare and Medicaid - Medigap managed care plans - veterans benefits = prescription drug coverage

Completely updated to provide the latest information and changes in benefits, this plain-English book is a must-have for anyone who is retired or about to be.