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| Wilson: Call 1-800-MEDICARE |
May 20, 2004 |
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Lawmaker Reminds Seniors to Sign Up for Discounts
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson has a message for any New Mexico senior who has not signed up yet for a prescription drug discount card: Call 1-800 MEDICARE.
“Every dollar counts, and the discount cards will make a difference,” Wilson said. “They can be a real help to low-income seniors who will get $600 put on their card.”
Wilson participated today in a hearing of the House Health Subcommittee, which reported progress in implementing the new Medicare prescription drug discount plan. All 40 million Americans and 250,000 New Mexicans on Medicare qualify for the discount cards.
The new discount cards go into effect in about a week-and-a-half on June 1. However, seniors are not automatically signed up; they have to choose a card.
The call takes about 15 minutes. Seniors should have their ZIP code, their prescription (medicine type and dosage), and if they have a particular pharmacy in the neighborhood. Seniors with limited incomes (below $1,405 a month for couples or $1,047 a month for singles) should tell them that as well because they could qualify for a $600 credit on the card both this year and next year.
Seniors with Internet access might prefer to price compare online. Information is posted at http://wilson.house.gov.
Many seniors have questions about the new Medicare prescription drug benefits, and Wilson said she will continue to make it a priority to provide information while the program is put in place. Discounts will be available for the rest of this year and throughout 2005. The complete Medicare prescription drug program will then be put in place in 2006.
Roughly 49,000 New Mexico seniors are expected to qualify for the extra $600 subsidy on their drug cards because they have annual incomes below $12,569 for individuals or $16,862 for couples. There is no assets test for the $600 credit.
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