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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS Unveils New Medicare Education Campaign

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today unveiled a nationwide education campaign to inform seniors with Medicare about the new benefits being offered to them. The first major segment of the education campaign is a television ad that will air nationwide starting today.

The 30-second television advertisement informs seniors that it will be the same Medicare they've always counted on, plus more benefits. The new benefits -- including prescription drug coverage -- are part of the new Medicare Act recently signed into law by President Bush.

The ad outlines when some of the prescription drug benefits will be available, and it reassures seniors that they can choose to keep their same Medicare coverage if they prefer. The ad encourages seniors to learn more by calling 1-800-Medicare, the toll-free helpline for Medicare beneficiaries and their families.

"We're going to provide seniors with straight answers about the new benefits being offered to them," Secretary Thompson said. "We're going to let them know what benefits are coming and when. Our toll-free helpline and website will be places seniors can turn for the facts and for more information about how the new benefits might help them."

"We're reaching out to make beneficiaries aware of new opportunities so they can take advantage of them if they choose," said Dennis Smith, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "We know there are some who are uncertain about what this new legislation means for them. This campaign will help answer their questions and show them where to go for more information."

The advertisements will run through March on national network and cable programs that are heavily viewed by people with Medicare. The cost of the network and cable ad buy is about $9.5 million. The full cost of this first campaign is expected to be about $12.6 million, which also includes development and production of the spot and a print, radio and Internet Spanish-language campaign.

In addition to 1-800-Medicare, seniors can learn more about the new benefits being offered through Medicare by logging onto the program's website: www.Medicare.gov. The website includes a fact sheet on the new Medicare law, frequently asked questions and answers, and more specifics about the improvements being made to Medicare.

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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: February 3, 2004

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