Medicare News

Medicare Updates

Prescription Drug Discount Card Program (April 29, 2004)

The companies offering Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards will begin advertising April 29th. Eligible seniors may sign up beginning May 3rd. Expect a lot of ads and many seniors to feel overwhelmed and confused. Remember, people who live in Assisted Living fall into the same category as anyone who lives in their own home in the community. They will be able to chose from as many as 25+ different kinds of cards. Ten - 15% of nursing home residents will be eligible for a special transitional assistance card that provides a flat $600 benefit a year. These cards for nursing home residents will be offered by only 2 or 3 companies. To be eligible a resident must be below 135% of the poverty level and not on Medicaid. Additional information from NCCNHR will be forthcoming. See current detailed summary on how program affects LTC residents.

Here is the link for the discount drug resources from HHS. http://www.medicare.gov/ A consumer brochure "Guide to Choosing a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card" is the third one down under features. However there is very little information for nursing home residents.