Bill to give Rx card to poorer seniors :: Namibia Internet Gateway cc ::

Articles: Bill to give Rx card to poorer seniors

Posted by admin on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 12:27 AM

Low-income users of the state's prescription insurance program will automatically get a Medicare discount drug card under a bill rushed through the Legislature yesterday.
The bill, proposed by Lt. Gov. Kerry Healy, could save the state up to $15 million if all eligible seniors take advantage. Through the Medicare discount card program, seniors can choose from dozens of sponsors who are offering an array of discounts. The cards go into effect in June, but they are on sale now. Each card comes with a $600 annual benefit for individual seniors who earn less than $12,569 or couples earning less than $16,862. Under the bill approved yesterday, low-income seniors in Prescription Advantage, which has about 81,000 members, will be automatically signed up for a card designed for the program, although they can opt out and choose another card. The advantage for seniors is that they won't have to evaluate dozens of cards to find the best one, said Elana Margolis, acting Elder Affairs chief of staff. They will also probably save money on copayments for prescription drugs. Prescription Advantage members who do not qualify for the $600 benefit should consider signing up for a card on their own, she said. They should carefully evaluate the cards and compare them to discounts they get through the state's program, she said. Senior activists applauded the move to save the state some money, but said they are still critical of the discount card program. ``This card won't save much money,'' said Sen. Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford). ``But we absolutely as a state have a moral obligation to retain full funding for Prescription Advantage.'' Activists said they hope the extra money will be used to add members to Prescription Advantage. Enrollment has been limited because of funding.

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