HispanicBusiness

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Medicare prescription drug plan coverage has topped 90%, the largest and fastest sign-up for a new federal program ever achieved. Today, Medicare demonstrated its commitment to reach 100% enrollment by eliminating any penalty for modest income beneficiaries who failed to sign up for a prescription drug plan by the program's deadline," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance), the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

"We thank CMS' Acting Administrator Leslie V. Norwalk for her announcement today making it easier to reach the more than 3 million Americans, many of them Hispanic, who are eligible for Extra Help with prescription drug costs but who have not yet applied for this important benefit. The elimination of the late sign-up penalty, a move advocated for by the Alliance and other health leaders, will bring us even closer to the 100% enrollment goal," concluded Dr. Delgado.

Editor's Note: Modest income Medicare beneficiaries with incomes up to $14,700 for a single person ($11,710 in assets) and $19,800 for married couples living together ($23,410 in assets) are eligible for an Extra Help benefit that will cover 85% to 100% of prescription drug plan costs. Assets such as a home, car, and most personal possessions do not count against the assets limits.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health -- The Alliance is the nation's foremost source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States. The Alliance represents thousands of Hispanic health providers across the nation providing services to more than 14 million each year, making a daily difference in the lives of Hispanic communities and families. For more information visit http://www.hispanichealth.org/ or call the Alliance's Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at +1-866-783-2645.

Contact: Adam Segal for National Alliance for Hispanic Health, +1-202-422-4673, adam@the2050group.com National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Web site: http://www.hispanichealth.org/