Enrollment in Wisconsin Senior Drug Plan To Begin July 1

Beginning July 1, qualifying Wisconsin residents ages 65 and older can begin signing up for SeniorCare, the state's new prescription drug plan, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The program, which takes effect Sept. 1, is expected to assist 176,400 seniors, saving them approximately $570 each in the first 10 months. To qualify, a couple must have an annual household income of $28,656 or less, and depending on income level, some seniors will be required to pay a $500 annual deductible. All participants will pay a $20 enrollment fee and $5 for each generic drug and $15 for each brand-name drug. According to Richard Cauchi, health care specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures, SeniorCare is "more generous" than similar prescription drug plans in other states. "SeniorCare is a great accomplishment for Wisconsin," Jason Kay of AARP Wisconsin said, adding, "Thousands of seniors of modest means will no longer have to agonize about whether they can afford the medicines they need to stay alive and healthy. ... This is a critical step." The program will cost the state $148.9 million each year. Gov. Scott McCallum (R) said state and federal officials are negotiating on a deal under which the federal government would pay 50% of the cost of SeniorCare. State Rep. Tim Carpenter (D) is working to rewrite SeniorCare rules to expand the program's enrollment by increasing income eligibility limits (Walters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/16).