How will it affect you?

You may have heard about Medicare's prescription drug coverage, and wondered how it would affect you. PacifiCare has determined that your prescription drug coverage with the Inland Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Health & Welfare Fund is, on average for all plan participants, expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay.

Prescription drug coverage is available to everyone with Medicare through Medicare prescription drug plans. All Medicare prescription drug plans will provide at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Some plans might also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium.

Because your existing coverage is on average at least as good as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can keep your current coverage and not pay extra if you later decide to enroll in Medicare coverage.

People with Medicare can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan from November 15 through December 31. However, because you have existing prescription drug coverage that, on average, is as good as Medicare coverage, you may choose to join a Medicare prescription drug plan later.

Your current coverage pays for other health expenses, in addition to prescription drugs, and you will be eligible to receive all of your current health and prescription drug benefits if you choose to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.

You should also know that if you lose your coverage with the Inland Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Health & Welfare Fund and don't enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage and you go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that's at least as good as Medicare's prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium will go up at least 1% per month for every month that you did not have that coverage.