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Can a nursing home resident who is private pay at present, but has Medicare Part B, opt to get a Medicare discount drug card? The resident is currently paying out-of-pocket for all drugs.

Patient Financial Services Weekly Advisor, September 17, 2004

Medicare offers three approved prescription drug cards to assist in covering out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries residing in a nursing home, who get their prescribed medications through the home's contracted long term care pharmacy, and who qualify for a $600 credit.

The $600 credit cannot be used if Medicare Part A is paying for a resident's stay.

According to CMS, if a resident meets all of the following conditions she should apply for one of these cards and for the $600 annual credit:

1. The resident has Medicare Part A and/or Part B.
2. The resident doesn't have outpatient prescription drug benefits from Medicaid.
3. The resident's stay in the nursing home is not being paid by Medicaid.
4. The resident gets drugs through the nursing home pharmacy, not from an outside source, such as a community pharmacy or mail order.
5. The resident's monthly income is no more than $1,048 if single or no more than $1,406 if married. This means she qualifies for a $600 credit in 2004 and another $600 credit in 2005.

To get one of the three Medicare-approved drug discount cards, the resident should:

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