SeniorCare faces possible changes

Initial hopes were that the popular SeniorCare program would not change under Gov. Walker's proposed budget. A closer look indicates otherwise.

The elderly in Wisconsin can choose to get drug coverage through the federal government or through the state. Up until now, a person could choose one or the other; under the governor's budget proposal, everyone on Wisconsin's SeniorCare has to double up: they must also get Medicare Part D as of January 2012.

John Hendrick is with the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging groups. He says SeniorCare will become more of supplemental insurance. The Medicare drug plans can cost as high as $1,600 and Hendrick says getting the right plan is key. He says "the cheapest is $180, but that might not cover the drugs that you are taking. So if you join that plan for $180, you might get nothing. If Medicare Part D doesn't cover Seniorcare not allowed to cover that drug either."

SeniorCare has co-pays of $5 per generic and $15 per brand name. Medicare Part D often has higher co-pays. There is subsidized coverage for low income people under the federal plan, but it's limited to those with very few savings.

Tags: news, seniors, health, senior, updates