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Drug discount card ready to help seniors

Almost everyone with Medicare is eligible for a Medicare-approved drug discount card that may lower the price of most prescriptions. Millions of people with lower incomes can receive even more help: up to $600 in credits to pay for prescription drugs. The savings are good through 2005, but those who are eligible must act by March 31 to get the full benefit.

If the card is activated after the deadline but before the end of the year, the amount of credit on the card will drop. Many beneficiaries have already received their cards in the mail but some have not activated them.

The Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services GeorgiaCares program is increasing its outreach efforts in the Atlanta, Albany, Franklin and Brunswick service areas to inform Medicare beneficiaries to activate their cards by calling Medicare toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), according to Jennie Deese, director of GeorgiaCares.

"When beneficiaries call to activate their cards, Medicare operators will check on their eligibility and help them enroll in the Medicare drug discount card program. They can also help them decide if an alternative card will provide greater savings," said Deese. "To qualify, monthly income must be less than $1,048 for a single person and $1,406 for a married person."

For more information, contact GeorgiaCares at 1-800-669-8387 or Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or visit www.medicare.gov.