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From Here to 2006: Help in the Meantime
By Robert Rosenblatt, March-April 2004
The Medicare drug benefit doesn’t kick in until 2006. Here’s how to save on your prescriptions until then
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Just because the new discount cards for 2004 and 2005 are sponsored by
Medicare doesn't mean they're the best cards for everyone. There are
many discounts already out there for people over 65, especially those with
limited incomes. Consumers should shop carefully before deciding which card to
use. Here are a few places to look for help with prescription drug costs:
Together Rx offers discounts
to Medicare enrollees without drug coverage and with incomes less than $28,000
for an individual or $38,000 for a couple. A group of drug companies
participates in the program, including Abbott Laboratories, Astra-Zeneca,
Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen
Pharmaceutica Products, Novartis, and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical. Call
800-865-7211, or visit the
website.
Pfizer has a discount
card for Medicare enrollees without drug coverage and with a personal income
below $18,000 a year ($24,000 for couples). Call 800-717-6005, or visit Pfizer's website.
Lilly
offers a discount card for Medicare enrollees without drug coverage and with a
personal income below $18,000 or household income below $24,000. Call
877-795-4559, or visit
Lilly's website.
The National Council on the Aging runs a website with information for people over
55 about private and public health-care programs, including ones that cover
prescription drugs.
AARP has a discount-prescription card program for
members, with no income limit. The annual fee is $19.95. Call 800-456-2277,
or visit the website.
Also, the AARP Bulletin Online offers a state-by-state
guide to prescription assistance programs.
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