Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today cautioned 9th Congressional District seniors to consider the new prescription drug cards offered by the Bush Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) before enrolling.  Starting today, seniors and people with disabilities can sign up for a new drug discount card, which will go into effect June 1.

Currently, seniors can have multiple discount cards, which enable them to maximize their savings for each drug they take.  But under the new law, seniors and people with disabilities will only be allowed to sign up for one card a year.  This prohibits them from maximizing savings through using multiple cards or from changing cards during the year to follow the lowest prices for their drugs.

Lee said that some seniors will be able to save money using this card to purchase their prescriptions, but, as with the new prescription drug benefit, the big drug and insurance companies, not Medicare, determine what drugs seniors save on and how much they pay.  Lee also cautioned that companies offering these cards can change the drugs they cover and the discounts they have promised weekly.  This means that seniors who sign up for a card because it discounts the medication their doctor has prescribed will be stuck if the card suddenly changes the discount or drops the drug.

“There is absolutely no guarantee that this is a good deal for seniors,” said Lee. “Cards are expected to offer discounts, but with these cards, there is no requirement of a discount.  In fact, drug companies have already begun increasing their prices prior to the implementation of the law so that discounts offered don’t cut into their bottom line.  In the end, seniors may actually pay more than they’re already paying.”

In order to determine if the prescription drug discount card is right for you, please call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.

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