What Physicians (and Patients) Need to Know About the Medicare Prescription Drug Program Medicare is offering coverage for outpatient prescription drugs beginning January 1, 2006. The California Medical Association (CMA) has developed this physician guide to help you understand the new program and to answer your patients’ questions about Medicare’s prescription drug benefit. This information is also available in CMA's Medicare Prescription Drug Program Brochure. Please feel free to download this brochure and make copies for your patients. 1. SENIORS CAN ENROLL     STARTING NOVEMBER 2005 Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for a new voluntary Medicare prescription drug plan between November 15, 2005, and May 15, 2006. If they enroll by December 31, 2005, their benefits will start January 1, 2006. If they join after that, their benefits will start the first day of the month after the month they join. However, there will be a late enrollment penalty of 1% a month. If seniors become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2006, they can choose a drug plan when they sign up for Medicare. In general, seniors can join or change drug plans once a year, between November 15 and December 31. Important Dates: October 15, 2005: Prescription drug pla