Medicare-approved Drug Discount Cards are being offered as part of a 19-month temporary program. They are provided by pharmacy benefit organizations to enable consumers insured by Medicare to purchase prescription drugs at a discount. Drug discount cards require an annual fee ranging from $0-$30, and drug discounts range from 10-25 percent. In order to qualify for a card, recipients must be entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Part B. Those with other health insurance that covers prescription drugs are not eligible. Enrollment in the card program is voluntary. Several factors should be considered in the decision to enroll in the program. o Each enrollee is allowed just one card at a time. Card changes are allowed, but enrollment fees are nonrefundable. o A comparison of drug discount cards can be found on the Medicare Web site, . Available information includes medications, pharmacies, and specific information about available cards. o Discount cards include generic and formulary drugs, but they do not cover all drugs available. For example, a particular card might not cover all of the drugs available for high blood pressure. o Make sure the pharmacy you want to work with will accept the Drug Discount Card you are considering before you enroll with that card. Transitional assistance is also available for certain consumers. This is an additional $600 credit toward prescription costs for Medicare beneficiaries who qualify based on annual income. For a single person, that annual income is $12,569 and below; for a couple is it $16,862 and below. For more information about the Medicare-approved Discount Drug Card program, to sign up for a card, or to learn about other ways you can save on prescription drug costs, contact the RxConnect/Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433.
