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Social Security & Medicare Q&A: How Do I Qualify For The New Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Credit Card? Q: I take two prescription drugs every month. With just Social Security and a very small state pension, my income is pretty low. How can I find out if I�m eligible for that new $600 Medicare prescription drug discount card credit? How can I find the best card to sign up for? I don�t have a computer. H.G. A: Medicare beneficiaries may now enroll in a Medicare-approved prescription drug discount card program and lower-income seniors may be eligible for a $600 credit to help pay for prescriptions. The cards are available for any Medicare recipient except seniors who already have drug coverage from Medicaid. DON�T sign up for the first card you see, though. Not only do you want to shop around to find the card that offers the best discounts, it�s important to make sure the discount card you�re considering actually covers the drugs you need. Some may not. In addition, price inaccuracies have been widely reported by the media and you will want to double check the advertised prices which could change as often as weekly. You may discover that existing prescription discount card programs, like TSCL�s RxSavings Plus card that has no enrollment fee, could be a better deal, especially if your drug is not covered under the new Medicare card. To be eligible for the $600 credit, your annual gross income must be no more than $12,569 ($1,048/month) for an individual or no more than $16,862 ($1,406/month) for a couple. If you qualify, you won�t have to pay the enrollment fee, which may be as high as $30 per year. Depending on income, seniors who qualify for the credit may still be responsible for a 5% to 10% copay on the discounted price. Seniors who are eligible can apply for the credit by filling out an enrollment form, available through the company that sponsors the discount card. If you do not have a computer, try calling 1-800-MEDICARE, (1-800-633-4227). You will go through a voice-automated menu that gives you the option of speaking with a live person. If you find it confusing, or long waits, try contacting your local area Agency on Aging, a staff member of your library, or to ask a friend or family member to help you on their computer. The $600 credit eligibility, available drug plans and comparative drug pricing information are all found on the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. The website has a tool that allows the user to enter income information to determine eligibility for the $600 credit. May 2004 | ||||||||
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