Beginning in June 2004, the Medicare discount card program will provide America's seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries with much-needed discounts and information on their prescription drugs. The purchasing power behind the Medicare population is expected to save beneficiaries an average of 10 to 25 percent off the retail price of most drugs.
This voluntary drug card program is not a drug benefit, but it is an important first step. The drug card program begins this year and will end when Medicare implements a new, permanent prescription drug benefit in 2006.
All Medicare beneficiaries, except those who already have their medicines paid for by Medicaid, will be eligible to enroll in a discount drug card program. Beneficiaries will have a choice of at least two Medicare-endorsed cards, but will be allowed to enroll in only one drug card at a time. Card sponsors can be Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), wholesalers, retail pharmacies, insurers, or Medicare Advantage plans.
No card sponsors will be permitted to offer a mail-order only program. Participating beneficiaries can continue to get the help they need from the community pharmacists they trust, as all endorsed cards must include an extensive national or regional network of retail pharmacies.