Preparing for the Medicare Drug Discount Card Rollout: A Conference Call Discussion

Preparing for the Medicare Drug Discount Card Rollout
A Conference Call Discussion

With Medicare beneficiaries eligible to subscribe to a discount drug card as of May 3 and use them as of June 1, there is little time to clear up any confusion or answer outstanding questions about the program. Dozens of private companies are sponsoring national or regional cards, including some Medicare managed care plans. Enrollment fees could be as high as $30 per year for the two years leading up to 2006. Low-income beneficiaries may qualify for a free discount drug card and up to $600 in subsidies per year to help pay for their drugs.

The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and the National Association of State Medicaid Directors sponsored a conference call on April 29, 2004 to discuss issues surrounding the drug discount card rollout.

Agenda

Speaker Biographies

Nancy Atkins’ Presentation

Patricia Nemore’s Presentation

10 Things You Should Know About the Medicare Endorsed Discount Drug Card

The Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program: Implications for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries – Issue Paper