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Aging Network Launches National Education Effort on Medicare Rx

Mon, 11/15/2004 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

PRESS RELEASE

Aging Network Launches National Education Effort on the Medicare Rx Transitional Assistance Credits as Deadline to Sign-up Approaches

The outreach campaign will target low-Income seniors who are eligible for $1,200 in prescription drug assistance credits through 2005; deadline to sign-up for first $600 is December 31, 2004

Washington, D.C. '“ Today, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the National Association of Sate Units on Aging (NASUA) launched a series of outreach and education events as part of the Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Campaign involving State and Area Agencies on Aging across the nation. During November and December, these agencies will be hosting events where Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the Medicare-approved discount drug cards available and receive on-site enrollment assistance.

Any Medicare beneficiary who is not enrolled in Medicaid is eligible to sign-up for one of the discount drug cards. In addition, low-income seniors are eligible for $1,200 in transitional credits to assist them with their prescription drug costs over the next 14-months. The campaign will target communities with a high population of low-income seniors. Medicare has estimated that approximately 7.4 million beneficiaries are eligible for the credit, however to date less than 2 million have enrolled so far.

State and Area Agencies on Aging will also participate in a coordinated outreach effort through their Aging Information & Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) Programs aimed at reaching low-income Medicare beneficiaries with a single concise message about the Medicare transitional assistance credit available in 2004 and 2005. The I&R/A outreach campaign is an intensive effort from November 15 through December 15, 2004, intended to demonstrate the capacity of the aging I&R/A system to reach out to consumers and facilitate their access to needed programs.

During the Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Campaign, ten target site events will take place in:

* Atlanta, GA Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Division of Aging Services (12/4);

* Baltimore, MD Baltimore City CARES and Maryland Department of Aging (11/24);

* Buffalo, NY Erie County Department of Senior Services and New York State Office for the Aging (12/2-3);

* Columbus, OH Central Ohio AAA and Ohio Department on Aging (11/10);

* Detroit, MI Detroit AAA and Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (11/29);

* Jackson, MS Central MS Planning and Development District/AAA and Mississippi Council on Aging, Division of Aging and Adult Services (11/17-18);

* Phoenix, AZ AAA, Region One and Arizona Aging & Adult Administration (11/18);

* Raleigh, NC Triangle J AAA and North Carolina Division of Aging Department of Health and Human Services (10/26);

* Rio Grande Valley, TX Lower Rio Grande Valley AAA and Texas Dept. of Aging & Disability Services (11/16-18);

* Seattle, WA Seattle County Aging & Disability Services and Washington Aging & Disability Services, Department of Social and Health Services (11/13).

In addition to these target sites, many other State and Area Agencies on Aging around the country will also be holding education events during November and December in an effort to ensure that every low-income senior is aware of their options and how to go about signing-up before the December 31 deadline.

'œDuring the past five months state and local aging agencies have been working diligently to provide older adults and their caregivers with information and assistance on the Medicare discount drug card program,' said Dan Quirk, Executive Director of NASUA.

'œWith the December 31 deadline for the 2004 credit fast approaching, our goal through this campaign is to make sure every low-income senior is aware of the opportunity for $600 this year and another $600 in 2005 and that they know there is local help available to assist them in taking the steps to sign-up before the end of December,' added n4a CEO Sandy Markwood.

Today, n4a and NASUA released, 'œ5 Things to Know about the New Medicare Rx Discount Card Program' to help seniors and their families. The five tips are:

1. Any senior who has Medicare and is not enrolled in Medicaid is eligible for a Medicare-approved prescription drug discount card.

2. Seniors with an annual income of no more than $12,569 for a single person, and no more than $16,862 for a married couple qualify for a $600 credit in 2004 and another $600 credit in 2005. Those with slightly higher incomes may qualify for other prescription drug assistance programs.

3. The Medicare discount card program gives seniors many different cards to choose from, however, beneficiaries can only enroll in one Medicare-approved discount card at a time. Seniors should choose the card that offers the best discounts on the medicines they take.

4. For more information, call 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), visit the Medicare web site at www.medicare.gov, or contact your State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) for additional counseling and one-on-one assistance. A listing of SHIP programs with toll-free numbers is available at www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp.

5. The maximum fee for the discount card is $30 per year.

The Aging Network has a long-standing track record of successfully providing assistance, benefits counseling and easy-to-understand information to millions of older adults, especially those with low-incomes. With the increase in Medicare beneficiary options under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act, the network has stepped up its efforts to meet the tremendous need for beneficiary assistance and education.

Since the Medicare discount card program began in June 2004, state and local aging agencies across the country have worked along with State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs to provide older adults in their communities with quality information and answers on the changes to Medicare.

The Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Campaign is part of a larger effort over the next twelve months that will serve to educate beneficiaries about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit beginning in January 2006 and the new preventive health benefits set to take effect in January 2005. The campaign is being spearheaded by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) with support from the U.S. Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. For more information on the n4a-NASUA Medicare Rx outreach project, visit www.medicarerxoutreach.org.

###

FACT SHEET

Seniors Can Get Immediate Financial Help with Prescription Drug Costs!

* Low-income seniors can really benefit from the Medicare Rx drug discount card when they qualify for the $600 transitional assistance credit.

* To get the $600 credit, seniors can have an annual income of no more than $12,569 for a single person and no more than $16,862 for a married couple. Those with slightly higher incomes may qualify for other prescription drug assistance programs.

* The Clock is ticking to get it: Seniors must sign up by December 31. If they do, seniors will get $1,200 to pay for Medicine between now and the end of 2005.

* That is why November has been designated Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Month.

* Seniors are confused by the various discount card programs that are available. Some don'™t have computers to access discount card information on the Internet'¦ for others getting information over the phone is not an option. Many need help understanding the various cards and programs that are available. Fortunately, there is a local resource available to help sort it all out.

* State and Area Agencies on Aging and Native American aging programs have launched a nationwide campaign to help seniors with their prescription drug costs. The campaign'™s main objective is to provide low-income beneficiaries with the information and assistance they need to take advantage of the $600 transitional assistance credit offered in 2004, before that opportunity expires on December 31, 2004.

* Trained volunteers will help seniors complete applications in cities across the U.S.

For information: Go to www.medicare.gov/maddc/home.asp, or call 1-800 MEDICARE (633-4227).

CONTACT: Lisa Cohen
310-395-2544

PRESS RELEASE

Aging Network Launches National Education Effort on the Medicare Rx Transitional Assistance Credits as Deadline to Sign-up Approaches

The outreach campaign will target low-Income seniors who are eligible for $1,200 in prescription drug assistance credits through 2005; deadline to sign-up for first $600 is December 31, 2004

Washington, D.C. '“ Today, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the National Association of Sate Units on Aging (NASUA) launched a series of outreach and education events as part of the Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Campaign involving State and Area Agencies on Aging across the nation. During November and December, these agencies will be hosting events where Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the Medicare-approved discount drug cards available and receive on-site enrollment assistance.

Any Medicare beneficiary who is not enrolled in Medicaid is eligible to sign-up for one of the discount drug cards. In addition, low-income seniors are eligible for $1,200 in transitional credits to assist them with their prescription drug costs over the next 14-months. The campaign will target communities with a high population of low-income seniors. Medicare has estimated that approximately 7.4 million beneficiaries are eligible for the credit, however to date less than 2 million have enrolled so far.

State and Area Agencies on Aging will also participate in a coordinated outreach effort through their Aging Information & Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) Programs aimed at reaching low-income Medicare beneficiaries with a single concise message about the Medicare transitional assistance credit available in 2004 and 2005. The I&R/A outreach campaign is an intensive effort from November 15 through December 15, 2004, intended to demonstrate the capacity of the aging I&R/A system to reach out to consumers and facilitate their access to needed programs.

During the Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Campaign, ten target site events will take place in:

* Atlanta, GA Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Division of Aging Services (12/4);

* Baltimore, MD Baltimore City CARES and Maryland Department of Aging (11/24);

* Buffalo, NY Erie County Department of Senior Services and New York State Office for the Aging (12/2-3);

* Columbus, OH Central Ohio AAA and Ohio Department on Aging (11/10);

* Detroit, MI Detroit AAA and Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (11/29);

* Jackson, MS Central MS Planning and Development District/AAA and Mississippi Council on Aging, Division of Aging and Adult Services (11/17-18);

* Phoenix, AZ AAA, Region One and Arizona Aging & Adult Administration (11/18);

* Raleigh, NC Triangle J AAA and North Carolina Division of Aging Department of Health and Human Services (10/26);

* Rio Grande Valley, TX Lower Rio Grande Valley AAA and Texas Dept. of Aging & Disability Services (11/16-18);

* Seattle, WA Seattle County Aging & Disability Services and Washington Aging & Disability Services, Department of Social and Health Services (11/13).

In addition to these target sites, many other State and Area Agencies on Aging around the country will also be holding education events during November and December in an effort to ensure that every low-income senior is aware of their options and how to go about signing-up before the December 31 deadline.

'œDuring the past five months state and local aging agencies have been working diligently to provide older adults and their caregivers with information and assistance on the Medicare discount drug card program,' said Dan Quirk, Executive Director of NASUA.

'œWith the December 31 deadline for the 2004 credit fast approaching, our goal through this campaign is to make sure every low-income senior is aware of the opportunity for $600 this year and another $600 in 2005 and that they know there is local help available to assist them in taking the steps to sign-up before the end of December,' added n4a CEO Sandy Markwood.

Today, n4a and NASUA released, 'œ5 Things to Know about the New Medicare Rx Discount Card Program' to help seniors and their families. The five tips are:

1. Any senior who has Medicare and is not enrolled in Medicaid is eligible for a Medicare-approved prescription drug discount card.

2. Seniors with an annual income of no more than $12,569 for a single person, and no more than $16,862 for a married couple qualify for a $600 credit in 2004 and another $600 credit in 2005. Those with slightly higher incomes may qualify for other prescription drug assistance programs.

3. The Medicare discount card program gives seniors many different cards to choose from, however, beneficiaries can only enroll in one Medicare-approved discount card at a time. Seniors should choose the card that offers the best discounts on the medicines they take.

4. For more information, call 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), visit the Medicare web site at www.medicare.gov, or contact your State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) for additional counseling and one-on-one assistance. A listing of SHIP programs with toll-free numbers is available at www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp.

5. The maximum fee for the discount card is $30 per year.

The Aging Network has a long-standing track record of successfully providing assistance, benefits counseling and easy-to-understand information to millions of older adults, especially those with low-incomes. With the increase in Medicare beneficiary options under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act, the network has stepped up its efforts to meet the tremendous need for beneficiary assistance and education.

Since the Medicare discount card program began in June 2004, state and local aging agencies across the country have worked along with State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs to provide older adults in their communities with quality information and answers on the changes to Medicare.

The Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Campaign is part of a larger effort over the next twelve months that will serve to educate beneficiaries about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit beginning in January 2006 and the new preventive health benefits set to take effect in January 2005. The campaign is being spearheaded by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) with support from the U.S. Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. For more information on the n4a-NASUA Medicare Rx outreach project, visit www.medicarerxoutreach.org.

###

FACT SHEET

Seniors Can Get Immediate Financial Help with Prescription Drug Costs!

* Low-income seniors can really benefit from the Medicare Rx drug discount card when they qualify for the $600 transitional assistance credit.

* To get the $600 credit, seniors can have an annual income of no more than $12,569 for a single person and no more than $16,862 for a married couple. Those with slightly higher incomes may qualify for other prescription drug assistance programs.

* The Clock is ticking to get it: Seniors must sign up by December 31. If they do, seniors will get $1,200 to pay for Medicine between now and the end of 2005.

* That is why November has been designated Aging Network Medicare Rx Outreach Month.

* Seniors are confused by the various discount card programs that are available. Some don'™t have computers to access discount card information on the Internet'¦ for others getting information over the phone is not an option. Many need help understanding the various cards and programs that are available. Fortunately, there is a local resource available to help sort it all out.

* State and Area Agencies on Aging and Native American aging programs have launched a nationwide campaign to help seniors with their prescription drug costs. The campaign'™s main objective is to provide low-income beneficiaries with the information and assistance they need to take advantage of the $600 transitional assistance credit offered in 2004, before that opportunity expires on December 31, 2004.

* Trained volunteers will help seniors complete applications in cities across the U.S.

For information: Go to www.medicare.gov/maddc/home.asp, or call 1-800 MEDICARE (633-4227).

CONTACT: Lisa Cohen
310-395-2544