[Nfbmo] Very important Blind Pension Information!

[Eugene S Coulter]

Gary Wunder and I met with several officials of the Missouri Department of Social services today regarding a change in the blind Pension Prescription Drug program that affects 92.5% of those getting the pension. This does not affect those receiving Supplemental Aid to the Blind or other programs.
Within the next two weeks those effected will get a letter from the Department of Social Services regarding this change. It is vital you read it as it will lay out what is happening and tell you of a very time sensitive process each recipient will need to go through.
DSS is requiring that those Blind Pension recipients that are eligible for Medicare enroll in Part D of Medicare, that is the prescription drug coverage. This change will not cost the recipients anything or reduce benefits to recipients. The only change after the enrollment process is complete is that recipients will need to present both their Mo HealthNet (Medicaid) card and their Medicare drug plan card when prescriptions are filled.  MO HealthNet will pay anything that Medicare does not pay.
DO NOT contact anyone with the department about this change as the policy is not final and anyone you can talk with will likely not know about it! This note is being sent out to alert us so everyone will be on their toes when we get these notices as some will require immediate action by us. Failure to do so may result in a lapse in pharmacy coverage.
Eugene Coulter, Social Services Liaison
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri