Many still not enrolled in Medicare Part D

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Council on Aging says as many as 4.4 million eligible people still have not enrolled for a subsidy under Medicare's prescription drug plan.

Noting a report issued Wednesday by a U.S. Senate committee, James Firman, council president, said between 35 percent and 42 percent of those initially eligible for the subsidy have enrolled in the program.

The Senate report also showed 2.9 million people who have no prescription drug coverage have not enrolled for Medicare's Part D drug coverage plan.

In testimony before the Senate committee, the council's vice president of policy and advocacy, Howard Bedlin, called for increased outreach activities, including $4 million in federal funding to support the National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment.

Bedlin also outlined legislative and administrative recommendations, such as eliminating an asset eligibility test.

"As Congress considers improvements to the Medicare prescription drug program, priority should be given to those in greatest need. The asset test penalizes poor retirees for doing the right thing," said Bedlin. "Nearly 2 million older Americans have managed to save a modest nest egg, but, because they have one, are ineligible for the extra help."