Are You Confused About the Prescription Drug Benefit?

by your Aging in Stride team

The Medicare website has information about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, including eligibility and a listing of Medicare-approved drug cards, searchable by Zip Code.

You can also use the National Council on Aging's Benefits CheckUP RX Tool to receive a confidential, personalized report of public and private programs that can help you save money on some or all of your prescription drugs. Go to www.benefitscheckup.org and select the button labeled "Benefits CheckUpRX," or click here for direct access to the prescription drug section.

General Eligibility Guidelines for the $600 Credit

• You must be enrolled in Medicare and have your red, white and blue Medicare card.
  
• You must have an annual income of no more that $12,569 if you are single or $16,862 if you are married. Other assets such as your house or money in the bank do not count.
  
• You must not already have prescription drug assistance from Medicaid, your employer, FEHBP (the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program) or TRICARE for Life (health insurance for military retirees).

If you don't think that you'll qualify for the $600 credit, the Benefits CheckUpRX will help you find out which programs you do qualify for, and can also help you enroll in the programs that will help you save the most money on your prescription drugs. 

For more information...

For a refresher course on the 2003 Medicare Reform Act, see "Issue 32: Medicare and Medicaid" in your copy of Aging in Stride, and the related resources in Issue 32 of the Aging in Stride Reader Support Center.