More Time to Enroll in Medicare Part D Drug Plan?

In response to confusion surrounding enrollment in the Medicare Part D Senior drug plan, Congressmen Pete Stark (D-Calif) and Jan Sharkowsky (D-Ill) have introduced legislation that would extend the application deadline from May 15, 2006, to December 31, 2006. Stark indicated that giving seniors an extra 6 months to choose plans would “provide beneficiaries extra protection during the first year of this complex new program so they won’t feel pressured into making a bad choice.” In addition, the bill would allow seniors to change plans within the first year and would prevent companies from canceling retiree health benefits for 1 year.