BOUNTIFUL -- Sally Brown, Program Manager for Utah's Health Insurance Information Program (HIIP), presented the latest information at a conference sponsored by Utah Hospice at the Salt Lake City Library. There has been a scramble to get the details of the drug program, much of the information coming just before the conference.
The new prescription drug discount card offered through Medicare is an entirely voluntary interim program to fill the gap until January 2006. These cards offer a 10 to 25 percent discount on a limited number of drugs.
However, the various companies approved to offer the Medicare discount card do not cover all drugs. Before signing up for a discount card from this program, seniors need to do some research to see if they will benefit from it. They should not hastily discard any discount cards they may already have.
"Seniors also need to be aware that there are those who will try to scam them with non-Medicare-approved cards," said Brown. "The only way to sign up for this new program is through the mail. Companies approved to offer this discount card through Medicare can only contact beneficiaries through the mail."
Low-income seniors ($12,569 for a single person or $16,862 for a married couple) may qualify for the $600 credit with this discount card. To be eligible for the $600 credit, seniors must be enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B and not be enrolled in a provider prescription program already.
The easiest way to find out if there is a card provider that will save seniors money is to go online and see what is offered. By comparing these figures to what seniors are already paying for their drugs, they will have a better idea if this program is for them. Using cards they already have may be more cost effective.
To see what companies are offering the discount card and what the cost of drugs could be, go online to www.medicare.gov and click on the "Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs" link. Seniors can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask about "drug savings." Pamphlets with the information needed will be mailed.
Only one Medicare-approved card can be signed up for at a time and can only be changed during the annual enrollment period between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, 2004. There is no exception to this rule.
If a senior signs up for one card, then has a health change requiring new medications which are not offered on the present card, he cannot change cards except during the enrollment period.
The State of Utah offers a "Health Insurance Informa-tion Program" (HIIP) which is a free service to help people who are eligible, or will soon be eligible, for Medicare with their health insurance questions including the new Medicare Approved Prescrip-tion Drug Card. Call 1-800-541-7735 to be connected with a volunteer in your area.
Seniors do not need to rush into signing up for the new discount card. With research and careful consideration, seniors can decide which Medicare-approved company offers the best discounts on the drugs they take.