Massachusetts Considers Surcharge for Elderly Who Delay Enrollment in Prescription Plan

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs has proposed a 10% annual surcharge for seniors who wait more than one year after their 65th birthday to sign up for the state's drug insurance program, Prescription Advantage, the Springfield Union-News reports. According to the Union-News, Prescription Advantage, "like any insurance plan," will not remain "financially viab[le]" unless a "fair-sized portion" of its members pay premiums, copayments and deductibles higher than the cost of their prescriptions. The surcharge is intended to "encourage people to join early" when their prescription needs are low. Three out of four members of the program pay no premiums or deductibles. Health activists for the elderly "agree" that the surcharge "makes sense" in order to preserve the program. "It's certainly understandable. Whether it's enough of an incentive [for seniors to enroll] remains to be seen," John Boesen, executive director for the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, said (Lauerman, Springfield Union-News, 8/9). For further information on state health policy in Massachusetts, visit State Health Facts Online.