For 40 years Medicare has provided some measure of health security for seniors after retirement. Beginning next year, some of the biggest changes are set to occur in the Medicare system, changes even bigger than when Medicare was first enacted into law in 1965.

On January 1, 2006, Medicare will begin to offer a prescription drug benefit, and for the first time, it will place an emphasis on preventive care and early treatment of disease.

When Medicare was first enacted in 1965, it provided coverage for hospitalization, doctor visits and surgeries, but there was no coverage for prescription medications. In the 21st-century, modern medicine relies very heavily on the benefits provided by pharmaceutical agents, and it is inappropriate for Medicare to not cover these lifesaving and life extending modern miracles.

Seniors will have more services available and greater incentives to remain healthy. Some significant changes on the horizon should make the program even more responsive to those it is charged with serving. Medicare is delivering more care for fewer dollars which will keep the program affordable and available for future generations.

Routine screenings, physical exams, disease management are now available under Medicare, but now seniors have the option to include prescription drug coverage. The new Medicare drug coverage is voluntary. No one must change from what they are doing now. If you are happy, you do not need to change; however, if you are one of the millions of Americans that regularly use prescription drugs, you owe it to yourself and your family to review your options.

New programs for coverage for medications may be different in different parts of the country. Two years ago, when this legislation was passed, there was concern that there would be no interest in companies providing this benefit.

However there has been great interest and many pharmaceutical companies and insurance organizations are now providing new modern Medicare products that provide additional value to seniors on Medicare. There has been such significant interest that now in the State of Texas alone there are over 40 plans available.

It is important to remember that competition is good. Competition leads to lower costs and increased services but it has also caused concern that there will be difficulties choosing a plan because of so many products available.

I have complete faith that the greatest generation, our parents who emerged from one the greatest economic depressions in recent history, who fought and won World War II, and who helped build the social and economic foundations that have made this country so great, can make a decision on which coverage plan will works best for them.

As our parents age, they will come in contact with an increasingly complex health care system. 21st century medicine is highly specialized to the patient. Because of this, a one size-fits-all approach to coverage will not meet the varied and unique needs of all of our seniors.

The end of the year is typically a time for families to get together and reflect on the blessings of the past year. The holidays are a perfect time to discuss what is available within the changes in Medicare.

So many choices might cause confusion. Good help is available on the telephone at 1-800-MEDICARE. For those children who wish to help parents or grandparents navigate the system should use the plan finder tool available on the web site (www.medicare.gov) and familiarize themselves with this prior to sitting down with their parents. Seniors who are going to be asking family members to help should have their medications available so they know what they are taking end of dosages prescribed.

Is it hard? Yes. Is it insurmountable? Hardly.

The system does have some complexity and “new” choices can lead to some level of anxiety. But this is truly a pioneering program, and it will take some time to make a decision, but the benefits are well worth the effort expended.

The program should be thought of as insurance and not an entitlement. There is an open enrollment period which lasts until May 15, 2006 after which there is an additional premium charged. Anyone who has a Medicare approved plan by that time may change plans during subsequent open enrollment periods which will occur at the end of every year.

Remember, the program is voluntary and each eligible citizen should evaluate their own situation, and then make the best available choice. Cost, coverage and convenience should be the primary determinants for selecting a plan. Fear, complexity and apathy should not prevent enrollment in this new and important benefit.