AARP Drug Discount Card Overview
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2004-05-25 16:39:00-04:00
About AARP's Discount Prescription Drug Card
In response to questions regarding the study of various Medicare discount card programs, the following is a review of AARP's Prescription Drug Discount Card.
- Unlike many other Medicare Drug Discount Cards, AARP's card offers discounts on all FDA approved prescription drugs. As a result, the AARP Medicare Prescription Drug Card may not offer the lowest prices for every drug. However, AARP members and Medicare beneficiaries are ensured access to all approved prescription drugs through either mail order or retail network outlets.
- Card sponsors negotiated drug prices for various Medicare Prescription Drug Cards. At the time of the study, CMS required card sponsors to submit and post on the CMS website the highest possible price a beneficiary could expect to pay for a particular drug at any retail pharmacy. In the majority of retail stores, drug prices for the AARP Medicare Drug Discount Card were lower than those posted on the website.
- The study was not able to reflect various additional drug discounts also negotiated with drug manufacturers by some card sponsors, commonly referred to as "wrap arounds." The AARP Medicare Drug Discount Card's wrap around offerings continue to provide additional price discounts to AARP members and beneficiaries whose incomes are up to 200% of poverty.
In summary:
- AARP members and beneficiaries receive full access to all FDA approved drugs
- At the time of the study, for those using the AARP Medicare Drug Discount Card, actual drug prices at most retail pharmacies were lower than the prices required to be posted on the CMS website.
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