The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which was signed into law in December 2003, makes major changes to Medicare. These changes include a new voluntary prescription drug benefit, changes to the program that deal with private health plans (known as Medicare+Choice), new coverage and changes in cost.

“The most important part of the law is a new benefit to help people in Medicare with their prescription drug costs, also known as Medicare Part D,” says Valerie Griffin, coordinator of St. John’s Seniors.

The prescription drug assistance goes into effect in two stages. The first stage began in May, when qualifying Medicare recipients began signing up for discount cards to help them with some drug costs. The discount-drug card program is a temporary program that will phase out when the second stage of assistance, a voluntary Medicare drug benefit, goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2006. If your income is low, you can get additional help, Griffin says.

“Medicare contracted with 46 private drug companies to provide these discount cards,” Griffin says. “The cards can save qualifying Medicare recipients about 10 percent to 15 percent on their total prescription drug costs."

The key is to figure out which card best meets your needs and gives you the best deal. You should sign up for the card offered by the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the majority of your medications, in order to get the maximum discount. Discounts vary by card, and each plan is slightly different.

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1-800-390-3330

St. John’s Seniors can assist Medicare recipients with figuring this out and can help them apply for the cards online at www.medicare.gov.

You can call the CLAIM (Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri) line at 1-800-390-3330 to set up an appointment.