Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

Story contact:

Milt Green: (307) 235-9400

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: Jan. 4, 2006

 

Casper, Douglas and Lusk meetings to unravel new Medicare prescription drug plan

 

            Meetings to help explain the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) for medical and social services personnel are this month in Casper, Douglas and Lusk.

            The meetings are sponsored by the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) and are 10 a.m. to noon. The schedule is:

            Casper – Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, Natrona County Fairgrounds.

            Douglas – Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Converse County CES office.

            Lusk – Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Niobrara County CES office.

            Tom Reinhart, Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMPP) coordinator, will explain the program in each county. 

            Medical, clerical and social service personnel affected by the changes in the program will be the focus of the meetings, but everyone is invited to attend, said Milt Green, Converse, Natrona and Niobrara extension educator and CES community development education specialist.

            Senior citizen groups across the state are doing a great job of informing the public, Green said.

             “The gap so far in the process appears to be informational programs for medical and social service agencies,” he noted.  “These are the folks the public will count on to help figure out the program.  The change in the Social Security program is one where the changes were made and, now that the sign up period has started, everyone is beginning to get concerned about how it will affect them and their businesses.”

            Green said Reinhart is well-versed in the provisions of the new program, will answer questions from those who attend and is interested in identifying volunteers willing to assist in helping people sign up.

             “There is just a lot of confusion about the changes in the Social Security program, and the transition will depend on a lot of volunteer time and effort,” said Green.

            WSHIIP can be accessed at http://www.wyomingseniors.com/wshiip.htm. SMPP can be accessed at http://www.wyomingseniors.com/spp.htm.

Also on the Web: http://www.uwyo.edu/UWCES/Natrona_main.asp

http://www.uwyo.edu/AgAdmin/news/Medicare_PartD.htm

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