The Los Angeles Access to Benefits Coalition (LA ABC) is dedicated to ensuring that seniors and adults with disabilities who have Medicare and have limited incomes know about and can make the best decision for reducing the costs of their prescription drugs.

The LA ABC is conducting outreach to educate Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare Part D-the new prescription drug benefit available through Medicare-and the "Extra-Help" available for Medicare beneficiaries with limited income. "Extra Help," also referred to as the "Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)", will significantly reduce or eliminate the Medicare Part D premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

The LA ABC is also assisting these beneficiaries by providing free, confidential screening and application assistance for "Extra Help" (starting July 1, 2005) and Medicare Part D (starting November 15, 2005). A typical person with Medicare and no drug coverage could see total drug costs drop by about 50% and a beneficiary who qualifies for "Extra help" can expect coverage for 85%-100% of their drugs costs.

If you do not have other creditable prescription drug coverage, you should choose a Part D plan before May 15th 2006 to avoid penalties. The penalty is that you will have to pay a 1% higher premium for every month you are eligible but do not enroll in a Part D plan.