SENIORS WEIGH OPTIONS DRUG PROGRAM OFFERS 34 PLANS.

Byline: Josh Kleinbaum Staff Writer

LAKE BALBOA - Whenever Mimi Ross hears someone talking about the Medicare prescription-drug program that begins registering recipients today, she can't help interrupting the conversation.

``It's a ridiculous program,'' said Ross, who needs medicine for osteoporosis. ``I didn't have to pay anything before (on Medi-Cal), and now I'm going to have to pay. You have to find a pharmacy near you that takes your plan. It's ridiculous.''

Ross shook her head and looked at her tray of lasagna, Monday's lunch at the ONEGeneration senior center on Victory Boulevard.

Few at ONEGeneration seemed excited about the program, which will provide federal subsidies to seniors, the disabled and those with end-stage renal disease to help pay for prescription drugs. Those eligible can begin registering for the program today, with benefits starting Jan. 1.

The program marks the first time the federal government is helping all senior citizens pay for prescription drugs and is the largest expansion of the Medicare program since the Johnson administration.

But some seniors are having trouble sorting through its complexities. In Los Angeles County, for instance, recipients must choose one of 34 plans, each with its own options.

``That's too many choices,'' said Leo Maggio, a senior citizen having lunch at ONEGeneration. ``It's too confusing. If they could make it five or six, that would make sense. Why so many?''

Medicare officials say the choices will benefit the 6 million Californians eligible for Medicare by fostering competition among companies competing for the business.

``This is not the sort of thing where a government, one-size-fits-all plan is workable,'' Medicare spokesman Jack Cheevers said. ``People - completely healthy that are taking no drugs at all - may want a plan with no premium and low deductibles. People on a dozen or so drugs, their big concern would be making sure the plan covers all their drugs.

``This was designed to encourage a lot of choice.''

The Center for Healthcare Rights, a state-designated Medicare counseling center, has been flooded with phone calls seeking advice on the new program. The center has a one-month backlog of calls, meaning Medicare recipients won't get a return phone call until mid-December.

``Can you imagine a spreadsheet on something like this?'' said Sandy Risdon, program manager at the Center for Healthcare Rights. ``You'd have to roll it on a picnic table.

``Folks who are on the Internet have it a little easier, but most seniors are not on the Internet. Picking a plan is going to be more difficult without Internet access.''

Her center is looking for volunteers for its peer-counseling program to help ease the backlog of calls, Risdon said.

At the Jewish Home for the Aging in Reseda, administrators have been holding a series of seminars to explain the program to residents.

``Everyone is talking about it here,'' said resident Ella Kalan, 95. ``I imagine the home will try to figure out what's best. I'm not really sure yet.''

At ONEGeneration, Ross' lunch table offered a glimpse of what seniors think about the Medicare program.

Charles Reinhart, 85, likes his current plan from AARP, which is moderately priced and easily understandable, he said. Harry Goldstein, 68, plans to stick to his Veterans Administration plan, which covers the $700-per-month price tag for hepatitis medication. Al Rabinowitz has made it to age 95 with little to no medication and doesn't plan to start using medicine now.

``I'll just drop dead,'' he said with a laugh. ``That's the easiest way to deal with it.''

Only Ross planned to enroll in the program, and she was confused and upset about it. She plans to meet with a counselor to get more information.

The 25 percent at the table who plan to enroll matches the nationwide ratio, Cheevers said. The program targets seniors who don't have any other insurance that covers prescription drugs. About 75 percent of those eligible for the plan already have prescription drug coverage, Cheevers said.

``Over time, people will become more familiar with this and they'll learn how to navigate it,'' he said. ``If you don't have drug coverage now, though, it's worth sitting down and studying this.''

Those eligible for Medicare have until May 15 to enroll. If they wait until after that date, they must pay a 1 percent penalty for every month after the date - which means if they wait five years, they'll have to pay 60 percent more than the plan's premium.

Anyone who is eligible but has private insurance doesn't have to enroll. If they lose the private insurance, they can enroll in Medicare at

that time without paying the penalty, Cheevers said.

``How many people will really benefit?'' Risdon said. ``I don't think we know that now. A lot of this is going to sort itself out. (The program) was really designed for someone who doesn't have any other options for drug coverage. In Los Angeles County, that's not a huge number of people.''

Josh Kleinbaum, [phone]

josh.kleinbaum(at)dailynews.com

MEDICARE HELP

Registration begins today for Medicare's new prescription-drug program, which means senior citizens in Los Angeles County must choose from among 34 plans.

Here are issues to consider:

--Current plan: If you have drug coverage now, you probably don't need to use the Medicare plan. Check your current coverage and see whether it is better than Medicare.

--Fees: Check for monthly deductibles and co-payments, as well as coverage gaps - known as the ``Doughnut Hole.''

--Drugs: Not all plans cover every drug, so make sure your medication is covered.

--Pharmacies: Certain pharmacies accept only certain plans. Make sure a local pharmacy accepts your plan of choice.

Need help? Here are some resources:

Internet: http://www.medicare.gov

Phone: (800) MEDICARE

Center for Health Care Rights, 520 S. Lafayette Park Place, Suite 214, [phone].

CAPTION(S):

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Mimi Ross, holding her prescriptions in her Reseda apartment, is confused by the new Medicare drug program.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

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MEDICARE HELP (see text)