HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the beginning of a comprehensive education campaign to inform people with Medicare about the new prescription drug savings available to them through Medicare-approved drug discount cards.

Just six months after President Bush signed the new Medicare law, millions of Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible to receive savings on their prescription drugs through these discount cards. The purchasing power behind the Medicare population is expected to save beneficiaries an average of 10 per cent to 25 per cent off the retail price of most drugs. Currently, about 9 million Medicare beneficiaries do not have access to any prescription drug coverage.

Starting today, (May 3,2004) seniors can begin to sign-up for Medicare-approved prescription drug cards. Some cards will be offered for free, though others may charge a one-time enrollment fee of up to $30 under the law. Low-income seniors may be eligible for an additional $600 credit to help pay for their prescriptions and would not have to pay an enrollment fee. The discounts take effect June 1.

"We're putting the power to save in the hands of seniors with these Medicare-approved discount drug cards, and the low-income seniors who need the most help will save even more with a $600 credit to pay for their medicines," Secretary Thompson said. "We need to let people with Medicare know about this new opportunity to save. We're giving them the tools to save real money on their prescription medicines."

Throughout the month of May, Secretary Thompson said HHS will build awareness of the new Medicare-approved prescription drug discount card program as well as the unique tools seniors can use to choose a card that's right for them. The education campaign will place particular emphasis on the low-income seniors who qualify for a $600 credit to help pay for their prescription medicines.

"Lots of people want to know what the Medicare-approved drug card means for them and how they can get the most out of it," said Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "We want to make sure beneficiaries know that they can call us at 1-800-Medicare to get the individual answers they need."