Medicare News
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: |
| Wednesday, May 12, 2004 | CMS Office of Public Affairs 202-690-6145 |
For questions about Medicare please call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov. |
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CMS ADDS RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO RECORD NUMBERS OF CALLERS
NEW STEPS MAKE IT EASIER FOR SENIORS INTERESTED IN MEDICARE DISCOUNT DRUG CARD
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced additional steps to improve service for Medicare beneficiaries deciding whether a discount card is right for them. This includes adding 400 more customer service representatives to answer calls on the 1-800-MEDICARE hotline and enhancing the “Price Compare” database at www.medicare.gov.
“All seniors and people with disabilities have to do to learn more about the Medicare-approved drug cards is call 1-800-MEDICARE and we’ll do the work for them,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. “These cards can provide real savings for many seniors, especially those with low incomes who qualify for a $600 credit. There are simple steps beneficiaries can take to make it easy to decide how they can get the most out of a drug discount card.”
“If beneficiaries find they are struggling with drug costs now because they don’t have good drug coverage that makes their drugs more affordable, they should consider enrolling in a drug discount card,” said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. “We’re working to make it easier for seniors to learn more and sign up for a card if it’s right for them. The discounts start on June 1, but there is no deadline and Medicare beneficiaries can enroll any time.”
Last week CMS received more than 10 times the regular call volume, with 1.6 million calls to 1-800-MEDICARE and more than 7 million internet visits. CMS is now increasing the number of customer service representatives at the Medicare call centers, bringing the total to more than 1,800. CMS had previously tripled the number of operators from nearly 400 in August to 1,400 last week. CMS is getting the additional help from trained customer service operators from some Medicare contractors; the private companies that process and pay Medicare Part B claims.
Enhancements are also being implemented in Medicare’s Price Compare services based on feedback from beneficiaries, customer service operators, and advocates. For example, www.medicare.gov now has a new, easily visible link making the Price Compare database easier to find, and the “drug dictionary” of drugs included on Price Compare is being expanded.
Website users and callers to 1-800-MEDICARE can now get an easy-to-use list of information to have available to help them find the best cards for their needs as quickly as possible. The list includes pill bottles or a list of drugs and dosages, favorite pharmacies, whether the beneficiary has a preference for low- or no-fee cards, and income information, if the beneficiary is interested in the $600 credit and other low-income assistance programs.
When calling Medicare, beneficiaries should be prepared to answer a few important questions about their prescription drug needs. CMS call centers use this information to sort through all of the medicines, drug discount cards, and pharmacies to give beneficiaries the specific, individual facts they need to decide about the drug card program. This includes:
- Their zip code.
- Their medicines and doses. It’s best to have pill bottles in front of them.
- Preference for a pharmacy, if they have one (otherwise they will get information on the closest pharmacies as well as mail-order options)
- Whether they are especially interested in low-cost or no-cost cards (the maximum card fee is $30 per year, but many cards have lower or zero fees)
- Any specific Medicare-approved cards that they have heard about and want to find out more about
- Their total monthly income, if they have limited means and are interested in the $600 credit for drug costs and other programs to help them get much larger savings.
The best times to call 1-800-MEDICARE is later in the week – Thursday through Sunday and between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern time.
All Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to enroll in a Medicare-Approved Discount Drug Card, unless they receive prescription drugs through Medicaid. Other Medicare beneficiaries may find that the discount cards may not be as beneficial as their existing employer benefits, Medigap coverage or health plan benefits.
Approximately 7 million beneficiaries with incomes below $12,569 per year for individuals and less than $16,862 per month for couples who do not have good drug coverage now can quality for the $600 drug credit this year and again next year, as well as substantial additional manufacturer discounts.
