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 Low
Income Americans on Medicare Receive Drug Discount Cards
ABILITIES Buzz, October Edition
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The U.S. Health
& Human Services reports that HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson
announced on September 22 that nearly two million low-income
Americans on Medicare will soon be automatically eligible for
prescription discounts through the Medicare Drug Discount card
and qualify for an additional $1,200 in savings over the next 14
months.
The Medicare beneficiaries will receive a drug discount card in
the mail next month, which they can begin to use immediately to
get savings at pharmacies, Secretary Thompson said. In addition
to receiving the card, beneficiaries will also receive
instructions on how to activate the $1,200 benefit. To do so
recipients will have to verify by phone that they meet income
guidelines and do not have other drug coverage. "Seniors with
limited means who are struggling to pay for their medicines can
save right away," Secretary Thompson said. "We're making it
automatic, so those who qualify for the $1,200 credit get it as
soon as possible."
The 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries getting cards can
activate the $1,200 additional benefit by calling the randomly
selected sponsor or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. They also will
have the option of choosing a different sponsor's card. If they
do choose another card, they will be automatically dis-enrolled
from the randomly assigned card. The letters will go to people
who receive state help to pay Medicare premiums in what are
known as Medicare Savings Programs (Qualified Medicare
Beneficiary, Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary, and
Qualifying Individual). Those in the Medicare Savings Programs
meet the income tests to make them eligible for the credit.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is also working
with more than 100 community-based organizations across the
country to reach seniors and people with disabilities who are
struggling with the costs of their medicines and help them
enroll in the discount drug cards and the $600 credit if they
qualify. These partners include 92 groups that formed the Access
to Benefits Coalition for the purpose of helping people with
Medicare take advantage of the savings that come with the
discount drug cards. Medicare beneficiaries who do not receive
prescription drug coverage through Medicaid are eligible for a
Medicare-approved drug discount card. In addition, Medicare
beneficiaries whose annual incomes are below $12,569 for singles
and $16,862 for married couples are eligible for the $600
credit.
ABILITIES BUZZ is sponsored by Advanstar Communications,
producers of Abilities Expo. We encourage our readers to submit
information on news and articles of interest that can be shared
within the industry. Send story ideas to Amy Riemer at
amy@riemercommunications.com. Our goal is to keep you
abreast of the latest news being reported in the industry to
improve the lives of people with disabilities, senior citizens,
their families and caregivers - as well as healthcare and
education professionals.
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