News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 27, 2004 |
Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343 |
HHS Works To Educate Seniors About Savings From New Drug Discount Cards
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today the beginning of a
comprehensive education campaign to inform people with Medicare
about the new prescription drug savings available to them through
Medicare-approved drug discount cards.
Just six months after President Bush signed the new Medicare law,
millions of Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible to receive
savings on their prescription drugs through these discount
cards. The purchasing power behind the Medicare population is
expected to save beneficiaries an average of 10 percent to 25
percent off the retail price of most drugs. Currently, about
9 million Medicare beneficiaries do not have access to any
prescription drug coverage.
Starting May 3, seniors can begin to sign-up for Medicare-approved
prescription drug cards. Some cards will be offered for free,
though others may charge a one-time enrollment fee of up to $30
under the law. Low-income seniors may be eligible for an
additional $600 credit to help pay for their prescriptions and
would not have to pay an enrollment fee. The discounts take
effect June 1.
“We’re putting the power to save in the hands of
seniors with these Medicare-approved discount drug cards, and the
low-income seniors who need the most help will save even more with
a $600 credit to pay for their medicines,” Secretary Thompson
said. “We need to let people with Medicare know about this
new opportunity to save. We’re giving them the tools to save
real money on their prescription medicines.”
Throughout the month of May, Secretary Thompson said HHS will build
awareness of the new Medicare-approved prescription drug discount
card program as well as the unique tools seniors can use to choose
a card that’s right for them. The education campaign will
place particular emphasis on the low-income seniors who qualify for
a $600 credit to help pay for their prescription medicines.
“Lots of people want to know what the Medicare-approved drug
card means for them and how they can get the most out of it,”
said Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., administrator for the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “We want to make sure
beneficiaries know that they can call us at 1-800-MEDICARE to get
the individual answers they need.”
Core components of the HHS education campaign include a drug price
comparison Web site, new rounds of advertising and informational
brochures being mailed directly to people with Medicare.
Price Comparison Web site: People with Medicare benefit from
the new discount cards, a choice in cards and the competition
between cards. HHS will provide direct and personal assistance to
seniors in comparing cards and making the best choice for their
individual needs.
A new Web-based tool will be available so beneficiaries can compare
drug cards, including the discounted prices for drugs that they
use, cards offered in their area and any enrollment fees (the law
allows up to a $30 fee.) Consumers can access this information at
www.Medicare.gov.
Or consumers can access this information by calling 1-800-Medicare,
where a customer service representative will be able to send the
caller price comparison information based on their situation.
Medicare has also increased the number of trained customer service
representatives available to seniors to advise them throughout this
process.
“We trust that seniors can make the best choice in a drug
card that’s right for them, just as they do in choosing a
doctor, pharmacist and health coverage,” Secretary Thompson
said. “Our price comparison Web site will provide them with
the data and insight to make an informed choice.”
Advertising: HHS is releasing a new round of public
information advertising as part of the Department’s existing
1-800-MEDICARE education campaign. The new advertisements are
designed to raise awareness about the new discount cards as well as
the assistance available for seniors to choose the card
that’s right for them.
A new 30-second television ad, which began airing the week of April
25, emphasizes the $600 credit available to millions of low-income
beneficiaries through these Medicare-approved prescription drug
discount cards and certain Medicare Advantage programs.
Beneficiaries are then advised to call Medicare through the
toll-free helpline 1-800-Medicare, the official source of Medicare
information.
“The newest ad will focus on reaching people with Medicare
who qualify for the $600 credit to pay for their prescription
medicines,” Secretary Thompson said. “This credit is an
important benefit that we want low-income seniors to know about and
take advantage of by getting a Medicare-approved discount
card.”
A second television ad, scheduled to begin airing in early May,
will focus on helping seniors choose a card that’s best for
them by steering them to the Web site or 1-800-Medicare. This ad
will be timed with the beginning of efforts by the private-sector
organizations to market their Medicare-approved cards to seniors.
The two television ads will be aired on national network and cable
programs that are heavily viewed by people with Medicare. The
television buy for the two ads will total about $18 million.
Also, the campaign will include print and Internet advertising in
both English and Spanish as well as radio ads in Spanish.
“When a new government program begins, it usually takes time
for people to learn how they can benefit and enroll,” said
Dr. McClellan. “We are implementing a comprehensive education
program using proven tools, including advertising, to reach the
most seniors as quickly as possible -- especially seniors with
limited incomes who have the most to gain.”
Informative Brochures: HHS has issued a variety of printed
materials, including the “Guide to Choosing a
Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card.” This document
explains the program, including eligibility and enrollment
information, and provides step-by-step guidance for comparing
discount cards. HHS mailed a shorter overview of this
document to every Medicare beneficiary in April. In addition,
the Social Security Administration is mailing a letter to
low-income beneficiaries who are likely to be eligible for the $600
benefit.
HHS is also providing a “tip sheet” to help people with
Medicare and their caregivers use the price comparison Web site and
enroll in a discount card. This tip-sheet is available at www.medicare.govor from
1-800-Medicare.
The aggressive outreach and public education effort continues
HHS’ efforts to follow a Congressional mandate in the
Medicare Modernization Act for the Department to “conduct a
significant public information campaign to educate beneficiaries
about the new Medicare drug benefit to ensure the broad
dissemination of accurate and timely information.” HHS will
continue to use proven methods to reach out to beneficiaries on the
drug cards and other new benefits throughout the year.
“To make informed choices, it’s crucial that people
with Medicare have access to all the information available to make
decisions that will help them find the card that best fits their
needs,” Secretary Thompson said.
In addition to the price comparison Web site, advertising, mailed
brochures, and the toll-free helpline, the Department has allocated
additional funding to increase the number of trained counselors
available through the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs
(SHIPs).
Currently, more than 12,000 trained counselors in nearly 1,200
local programs use their knowledge of Medicare and other local
insurance programs and services to provide in-depth assistance to
people with Medicare. This program is an effective resource
because it is local and emphasizes one-on-one advice and
counseling.
HHS representatives have participated in local educational events
across America to inform beneficiaries about the new choices
available to them.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: April 28, 2004
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