The Department of Health and Human ...

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G Thompson newly announced an interim final regulation for the Medicare Prescription remedy Discount Card Program, designed to help individuals who are covered by Medicare with the charge of prescription drugs. This regulation is the first action resulting from the Medicare Prescription unsalable article Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 All Medicare beneficiaries, leaving out those who already have Medicaid outpatient remedy coverage, will be able to record in the Medicare-approved prescription medicine discount program in spring 2004 with benefits beginning in June The more significant provision of the law, which creates strange Medicare drug coverage available to all Medicare beneficiaries, will take consequence in 2006. Officials estimate that seniors and characters with disabilities who purchase the discount cards will save 10 to 15 percent forward their total drug costs, with discounts of up to 25 percent forward individual prescriptions. In the spring, beneficiaries can come by information on the operation of the discount medicine program, who can qualify, and for what cause to join by going online to http://www.medicare.gov or by way of calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

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