Press Center: News Releases
AARP Offers Medicare Rx Educational Material in Easy to Swallow Doses
New Ads and Publication to Reach Millions / News Release
September 1, 2005
Whether you live in Billings or Baltimore, information in Sunday's Parade Magazine, USA Weekend and American Profile, will provide Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers with a quick overview of the new Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D).
This weekend's newspaper supplement, reaching over 64.5 million households, is just one part of AARP's efforts to help its members make wise enrollment decisions. AARP is encouraging its members to learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage. It is using its publications, free educational guides, website, state offices, volunteers, national and community partnerships, and advertising to help people learn about their new coverage options.
AARP CEO Bill Novelli explained why AARP is so involved: "Prescription drug affordability continues to be a big problem, especially for those without insurance and those with limited incomes or high drug costs. The new Medicare prescription drug program will help millions of Americans save on their prescription drug spending and provide protection against future catastrophic drug costs."
As enrollment approaches, there is increasing interest in the Medicare drug plans. But people need information that is easy to understand. "Terms like 'creditable coverage' and 'actuarial equivalent,' may be new to many people," Novelli explained. "AARP's material can help cut through the clutter and get people to the best available resources to help them make smart decisions."
Novelli said people's decisions require not only crunching numbers on what they spend on prescriptions today, but thinking about the future, too. "Even if people think they don't need Medicare prescription drug coverage now, they still may want to look at whether a Medicare prescription drug plan is right for them. Drug usage and spending generally increases with age and waiting to sign up means they may pay more."
Perhaps the easiest decision whether to enroll will be for those with limited incomes. Those individuals can get extra help to pay their premiums and co-pays. For millions, this will mean very low-cost coverage. This summer, Social Security Administration (SSA) mailed applications to those who may qualify. Those who did not receive the application and feel they may qualify can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. Medicare beneficiaries who currently receive their prescription drugs through Medicaid will be automatically enrolled.
Companies will begin marketing their plans on October 1. AARP is encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to take a look at their options under the new drug coverage to see how these options compare to their current coverage. Those interested in the new Medicare drug program should ask themselves how these new plans compare to each other, what drugs they cover, and where you can get their prescriptions filled. To assist with people's questions, AARP will be helping connect people to Medicare, Social Security, and State Health Insurance Programs for enrollment assistance and more information about the available plans.
AARP offers a free educational guide that provides some basic information about the new Medicare prescription drug program. Anyone can obtain a copy by visiting www.aarp.org/medicarerx or calling 1-800-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277).
Helping its members navigate the new changes to Medicare is just one way AARP is working to bring down the high cost of prescription drugs. Through education, legislation and litigation, AARP seeks to make prescription drugs more affordable to all Americans. AARP supports: the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices on behalf of Medicare; safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada; greater use of generics when appropriate; and greater use of comparative information about medications, since the most expensive medication may not be the most effective. It has also used legal action to end anti-competitive industry practices and to support the states' right to use Medicaid dollars to extend coverage to more people in need, as long as beneficiaries are not denied necessary drugs.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is our affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.