America's health insurance plans reported significant progress in the enrollment of beneficiaries in the Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card programme.

Acknowledging industry efforts, Karen Ignagni, AHIP President and CEO, said that AHIP's member companies "are empowering millions of Medicare beneficiaries by providing them with this new resource to help them save on the costs of their prescription drugs."

Citing estimates by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that more than 2.3 million Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have already received the voluntary prescription drug card, and noting that more than 70 private-sector entities are participating in the programme, Ignagni said that there is clear evidence that private health insurance plans are committed to the success of the programme.

Ignagni said she is "confident that a strong public-private partnership will enable the Medicare-endorsed Prescription Drug Discount Card Programme to fulfill its potential to provide beneficiaries with more affordable prescription drugs over the next 19 months and lay the groundwork for the Medicare prescription drug benefit that will become available in 2006."

Ignagni also said low-income beneficiaries, many of whom are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage program, may also receive up to $1200 over the duration of the programme in direct subsidies from the federal government to help pay for much-needed prescription drugs.