Are you caring for someone with Medicare? Do they need help paying for their medications? If so, there is help!!!! GeorgiaCares will provide you and your loved one with assistance in enrolling in a Medicare Drug Discount Card. Our staff will provide counseling as to which card to choose and will even enroll your loved one automatically. To get more information on this program and to enroll in a discount card, please call 1-800-669-8387. Our coordinators will be happy to assist you! MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $600.00 CREDIT TO HELP PAY FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR INFORMATION CALL YOUR LOCAL GEORGIACARES OFFICE 1-800-669-8387

NEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG LAW

The President has signed a bill to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. While the benefit isn't it's an important step forward that we can build on in the future. Here are some important ways that older Americans and their families will be helped by this benefit:

EIGHT WAYS AMERICANS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE NEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG LAW

1. It protects traditional Medicare: The legislation preserves traditional fee-for-service Medicare. And anyone can stay in it if they choose
   
   
2. All Medicare beneficiaries will have access to drug coverage: This is a guarantee drug benefit for all beneficiaries, regardless of where they live.
   
   
3. This new drug benefit is voluntary: People can elect to keep an existing coverage they have, and no one will be forced to enroll in the new program.
   
   
4. It helps those who need it most: The new benefit provides for comprehensive drug coverage for people with low incomes, at minimal cost to them.
   
   
5. It protects those with the highest drug costs: After a beneficiary reaches the $3,600 out-of-pocket limit, the federal government will pay for 95% of prescription drug costs.
   
   
6. It encourages continued retiree coverage: The legislation provides financial incentives for employees (both public and private) so that people who already have good private coverage are less likely to lose it.
   
   
7. It provides new preventive services: The legislation provides for new coordinated chronic disease management, preventive screening for heart disease and an introductory physical exam.
   
   
8. It offers a discount card: Beneficiaries can choose a Medicare discount card that will provide card that will provide some immediate help with drug costs. In addition, many low-income beneficiaries will receive a $600 credit on their card.
   

For more information visit www.aarp.org

Medicare-Approved Drug Cards for 2004 and 2005

Private companies will offer the Medicare discount cards. There will be many cards to pick from. You can only pick one Medicare discount card.

Each discount card might be a little different.

Some examples are:

• Some cards can be used at certain pharmacies.
  
• The amount of the discount on a drug could be different from card to card. The cards could save you about 10% to 15% on your overall costs.
  
• A drug you take may not be discounted on all cards.
  
• You need to compare the cards to pick one that meets your needs.
  

For more information visit www.aarp.org

MEDICARE & YOU 2005

Medicare is there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit www.medicare.gov

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Save Now with a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card

Medicare has contracted with private companies to offer Medicare-approved drug discount cards. These companies negotiate drug prices. Anyone with Medicare can get on e of the drug discount cards except those who have outpatient prescription drug coverage from Medicaid when they apply. Enrolling in a Medicare-approved drug discount is your choice. If you're paying for the full cost of your prescription drugs yourself, a Medicare-approved drug discount card can help you save on your outpatient prescription drug costs. These discount cards are available now. This is a temporary program to help with your prescription cots until Medicare prescription drug plans start in 2006. All drug discount cards approved by Medicare will have an approval seal on them.

How They Work

Enrollment in Medicare-approved drug discount cards started May 3, 2004. If you are eligible and haven’t enrolled yet, you can enroll anytime until November 30, 2005. Enrolling is your choice.

The drugs that are discounted and the amount of the discount offered vary among different cards and can change, so you should compare the Medicare-approved drug discount cards carefully. Each drug discount card has a list of pharmacies where the discount card can be used, to help you compare. You must go to a pharmacy that accepts your Medicare-approved drug discount card to get the discounted price.

Companies offering the discount cards can charge an enrollment fee of no more than $30 each year. You can save on covered brand name drugs and even more on generic drugs.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a state might apply. Contact your Medicare Advantage Plan or state program for more information.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

Millions of people already get more than a thousand brand-name prescription medicines for free. Or nearly free.

If you don't have prescription coverage and can't afford your medicines you could too.

CALL TODAY 1-877-999-4772

JUST REACH FOR THE PHONE TO SEE IF YOU MAY QUALIFY.

It's easy. Here's what you do:

1. Know the names of the medicines you take.
   
2. Call toll-free 1-877-999-4772.
   
3. A trained specialist will answer your questions and help you apply.
   

Hablamos Espanol

TO SEE IF YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR FREE MEDICINES CALL 1-877-999-4772 OR VISIT www.pparx.org.

The call is FREE. And if you qualify, so is the medicine. It's a helping hand from America's pharmaceutical companies in partnership with doctors, nurses, and community groups.

CALL TODAY 1-877-999-4772

LillyAnswers

1-877-RX-LILLY (1-877-795-4559

www.lillyanswers.com

LillyAnswers will bring immediate help to seniors without prescription drug coverage whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but limited enough tht paying cash for necessary medicines presents a significant financial barrier. Building on our long tradition of patient assistance, LillyAnswers will ensure that seniors have complete access to the Lilly products, information and services they need.

---Sidney Taurel, Chairman of the Board

President and Chief Executive Officer

Who is Eligible for LillyAnswers

• Medicare-enrolled
  
• No other prescription drug coverage
  
• Individual annual income below $18,000 or household income below $24,000
  

Lilly Answers is a patient assistance program for low-income Medicare enrollees who do not have prescription drug coverage. The centerpiece of the program, the Lilly Answers card, will allow seniors to pay a flat $12 fee for a 30-day supply of any retail distributed Lilly drug.

The LillyAnswers Program Offers

• A flat $12 administrative fee for a 30-day supply of any retail distributed Lilly drug.
  (Excludes controlled substances as well as products not distributed by retail pharmacies).
  
• Potential annual savings of more than $600 per product for chronic diseases.
  
• Easy guideline for seniors, physicians and pharmacists.
  

Enrollment is free and available now. Participating pharmacies are now accepting the LillyAnswers card.

LillyAnswers enrollment applications are available by calling toll-free at 1-877-RX-LILLY. (1-877-795-4559).

Contact LillyAnswers for the retail products included in the LillyAnswers Program.

Links:
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