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What You Need to Know About Medicare and Diabetes: Part Three An Update from the National Diabetes Education Program and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: July 20, 2005 People with diabetes can tap into several Medicare benefits to help control diabetes and avoid serious healthproblems. These benefits will help with day-to-day management of diabetes. This is the third of three columns. New Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Begin January 2006 January 1, 2006 marks the beginning of Medicare prescription drug plans for people who choose to enroll in them. This is the new Part D plan of Medicare. These plans may provide coverage for certain diabetes medications. Enrollment in the new drug plans begins November 15, 2005. If you do not enroll within 6 months of the date you become eligible for Part D coverage, Medicare may charge you a higher premium for your drug coverage. People who are currently on Medicare should enroll during the initial enrollment period (November 15, 2005 to May 15, 2006) to avoid a penalty. Until the new plans take effect, Medicare-approved drug discount cards are available now. For More Information There are many resources where you can find more information about Medicare and diabetes as well as helpful tips for controlling and preventing diabetes. The National Diabetes Education Program has pulled this information together to help you control your diabetes for life. Medicare Information 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or 1-877-486-2048 for TTY users. www.medicare.gov For more details about Medicare benefits and diabetes, ask for the booklet called "Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies & Services." Or go to this address on the Medicare website: http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubspdf11022.pdf. Indian Health Service 1-505-248-4182 www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/diabetes Information About Diabetes National Diabetes Education Program 1-800-438-5383 www.ndep.nih.gov