Department of Health and
Human Services
Administration on Aging
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Medicare
Updates
President
George W. Bush signed H. R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement
and Modernization Act of 2003, at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.,
Dec. 8, 2003.
"With this law, we are providing more access to comprehensive exams,
disease screenings, and other preventative care, so that seniors across
this land can live better and healthier lives," said President Bush.
The new Medicare bill, the most substantial reform in Medicare’s
history, is a step toward accomplishing two core goals – providing
overdue prescription drug relief to seniors in need, and strengthening
Medicare’s future. It also includes dramatic improvements in consumer
choice through health savings accounts.
Seniors are getting discount cards aimed at achieving initial drug savings,
and lower income beneficiaries are receiving an immediate credit of $600
to pay for prescriptions. The full program will begin in 2006, offering
a completely voluntary package of drug coverage.
Please select from the following options:
Partner Activities
Community
Based Outreach
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is conducting a nationwide
outreach and education campaign to help Medicare beneficiaries learn about
and enroll in the new Medicare-approved drug discount card and $600 transitional
assistance credit program. As part of this effort, the Administration on Aging
(AoA) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through Ogilvy
Public Relations awarded $3.9 million to community-based organizations (CBOs)
to support increased outreach, education and enrollment activities targeting
Medicare beneficiaries, especially low-income beneficiaries in 30 communities
across the country with high concentrations of low-income beneficiaries.
The goals of outreach and education are to:
- Find Medicare beneficiaries who are likely to be eligible for the
Medicare-approved drug discount card and the transitional assistance
program
- Educate them about opportunities to save money
- Encourage them to seek further assistance
- Help them to collect the information they will need to get assistance
with enrollment
The goals of enrollment assistance are to:
- Assist people to determine for which benefits they want to apply
- Help them to complete and send in applications for desired benefits
National Partners
N4a and NASUA
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the National Association
of State Units on Aging (NASUA)NASUA through a supplemental grant from AoA
(AoA) under the Eldercare Locator Program have launched an initiative to
assist state and local aging agencies in their work to implement the Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) over the
next year.
To assist aging agencies in their efforts to outreach, educate, and
enroll Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare’s new prescription
drug program, n4a and NASUA is:
- conducting training programs to include a series of webinars
- developing and disseminating promotional and technical assistance
materials
- providing on-going technical assistance and best practice profiles
- Link: http://www.medicarerxoutreach.org/
National Minority Organizations
As part of the National Medicare Outreach Campaign, AoA and CMS are
working in cooperation with National Minority Organizations to target
hard to reach low-income minority elders. The organizations include:
- Promising/Best Practices (Coming)
- Testimonials (Coming)
Resources
General
Information - Drug Discount Cards
The prescription drug benefit will begin in 2006.
As an interim measure, beneficiaries, begin in May 2004, may purchase
prescription drug cards, estimated to provide discount between 10 to
15% depending on the card. Enrollment in the discount card program is
optional and is open to all beneficiaries who do not have prescription
drug coverage under Medicaid. The card can cost no more that $30 a year.
Additionally, low-income beneficiaries, those with incomes up to 135%
of the federal poverty level, are eligible for a $600 annual subsidy
during the interim period.
Beneficiaries can choose only one card per year and sponsors can change add
or drop coverage of any drug at any time. The enrollment period began on May
3, 2004.
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS web
site - www.medicare.gov provides
numerous Fact Sheets and information on the new law. In particular,
the site focuses on the drug discount cards, with the links
providing both general and more detailed information on how
to choose a card and then how to enroll in the chosen card
program. The Price compare database offered on this site
enables individuals to determine the best discount card available
to them based on their geographic location (zip code) and
the prescriptions they have. The database is updated weekly.
Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs (PDAP) provides information
on public and private programs that offer discounted or free medication, programs
that provide help with other health care costs, and Medicare health plans that
include prescription coverage. It also provides information on even more ways
you can reduce your prescription drug costs, such as by using generic alternatives.
Prescription Drug and
Other Assistance Programs (PDAP) provides information on public
and private programs that offer discounted or free medication, programs
that provide help with other health care costs, and Medicare health
plans that include prescription coverage. It also provides information
on even more ways you can reduce your prescription drug costs, such
as by using generic alternatives.
Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card Tip
Sheet Provides general information on what to consider in choosing
a prescription drug discount card.
Guide to Choosing a Medicare-Approved Drug
Discount Card A 36-page detailed guide with information on how
to choose and enroll in the appropriate prescription drug card program.
Drug Discount Card Enrollment Tip Sheet
Useful once a beneficiary has chosen a card and wishes to enroll. Also provides
information on what an individual should include as income when determining
eligibility for the low-income subsidy.
Access to Benefits Coalition
The Access to Benefits Coalition (ABC), a public-private partnership led by
the nation’s leading non-profit organizations, is committed to ensuring
that all lower-income Medicare beneficiaries know about and can make the
best use of both public and private prescription drug savings programs.
The ABC Web site, provides resources
for national organizations and their affiliates, state coalitions,
local community organizations, and others who are working to assist
lower-income Medicare beneficiaries in finding prescription drug savings.
The site includes: State Prescription Drug Savings Guides, an Enrollment
Center with forms for State and Medicare-approved drug card programs,
an email alert list serve, Promising Practices and Tips, and other
communication tools.
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