MEDICARE PART-D EDUCATION SEMINAR
BAPS Charities, PHILADELPHIA, PA

02.26.2006 Philadelphia, PA, USA

BAPS Charities, Philadelphia, PA, organized an important “Medicare Part D in Gujarati” social services education seminar on February 26, 2006 which was attended by over 300 attendees.

US Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick reiterated the importance of this education, “Educating yourselves about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is essential in selecting the best plan that meets your particular prescription drug needs.”

Although the health care industry and most government officials have been providing Medicare Part D education in English for over six months now, an internal survey by BAPS Charities showed that most Indian communities (including Gujaratis) did not know much about it. The main reason was language barrier. Despite the cultural issues there is a great sense of urgency because after May 15, 2006, any Medicare eligible seniors without comparable drug coverage may have to pay a 12 percent per year premium penalty for the rest of their life if they decide to join later.

As an immediate measure of response, BAPS Charities instituted “Medicare Part D in Gujarati” to help seniors get affordable access to prescription. Handouts of the presentation were provided in both Gujarati and English so that materials can be taken home to discuss further with family and care givers. Contact information for personal follow-up questions in either Gujarati or English were also provided.

Following suit, by early March, volunteers of BAPS Charities from over 40 other centers across USA will meet and be trained to give the same presentation at their centers to quickly and efficiently reach “Medicare Part D in Gujarati” education to over 10,000 people across America.

Just like our prompt disaster relief services after Katrina, BAPS Charities’s urgent Medical Education Services efficiently reaches our target population in the most relevant manner.