HMSA holding meetings on drug coverage

The Hawaii Medical Service Association is holding a series of meetings statewide this month to describe Medicare-approved Prescription Drug Coverage for its 38,000 65C Plus members.

The coverage features a large retail pharmacy network, mail-order services and out-of-network pharmacies. Contracted pharmacies will handle all paperwork for HMSA 65C Plus members receiving prescription drug coverage.

HMSA has packets to all 65C Plus members with information on Medicare's Part D prescription program and HMSA's 65C Plus Prescription Drug Coverage. Members are asked to review all the information and discuss it with family members and caregivers.

Those with questions are urged to call HMSA at 948-6000, or the HMSA office on the neighbor islands.

Cliff Cisco, HMSA senior vice president, pointed out that all Medicare prescription drug coverage being offered isn't the same.

"So it is extremely important for people to do their homework," he said. "They must also remember that they may only enroll in one Medicare prescription drug plan at a time."

The following sessions will be on Oahu at the HMSA Center, 818 Keeaumoku St., Multipurpose Room: Oct. 18, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 22, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Meetings will be in Room S-100 of the HMSA Center on Oct. 26 from 9 t0 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

They will be in the MPR Room on Oct. 29 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

All Maui sessions will be in the HMSA Maui Office: Oct. 17, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 31, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

On Kauai, sessions will be in the HMSA office Oct. 24 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Big Island sessions in the HMSA Hilo Office will be Oct. 18 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. and Oct. 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. 1 to 2:30 p.m.

An information session will be held in Kona Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Seating is limited so participants must make a reservation by calling 948-5555 on Oahu or HMSA offices on the neighbor islands.

Members can also go online and view the schedule and a list of drugs covered under the plan at www.HMSA.com.