• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Medicare drug card information everyone should know

Pharmacy Regulation Resource, July 7, 2004

Last week, we featured a list of questions and answers about the Medicare-approved drug discount cards from Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. Here are four more questions and answers that Lahey Clinic leaders distributed to staff to help them address patient concerns about the cards.

Q: How can I help a patient who asks for pricing or information on a Medicare discount card?
A: You can refer the patient to Medicare's Web site at www.medicare.gov'>www.medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (800/633-4227). Patients may also contact their state health insurance counseling and assistance program.

NOTE: The Medicare Web site and toll-free number will only provide the highest possible price within a demographic region that will be charged when using a card. The customer may call the card sponsors directly for specific pricing at individual pharmacies.

Q: How long does a patient have to wait after applying for a card before being able to receive a discount on prescriptions?
A: It will take about three weeks for applicants to receive their cards in the mail. Discounts will begin on the first day of the month after the customer has been approved for the program.

Q: How much does a Medicare-approved discount card cost?
A: Each Medicare-approved discount card may have an annual fee of up to $30. Fees may vary from card to card. However low-income applicants may qualify to have the enrollment fee paid by the government as part of the Transitional Assistance Program.

Q: What is Transitional Assistance and who is eligible?
A: Transitional Assistance is a government-funded subsidy to the Medicare discount card plan. Patients whose income is below 135% of the federal poverty level ($12,569 single; $16,862 married) may be eligible for the program. Under the Transitional Assistance Program, the government pays the annual fee and applies a $600 subsidy to the patient's card each year.

NOTE: If eligibility is unclear, refer the patient to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive