According to a survey commissioned by the Pharmacy Care Alliance, a large majority-76 percent-of Medicare beneficiaries without prescription drug coverage polled believe the Medicare drug discount cards are a good idea and will help them save money.
Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of the 501 Medicare beneficiaries surveyed by Wirthlin Worldwide plan to try to get more information about the discount cards and a majority (58 percent) already plan to get a card.
Most seniors (56 percent) surveyed felt they knew little or nothing about the Medicare drug discount cards. Additionally, only 20 percent of those surveyed were aware of the Medicare credit of $600 available for low-income Medicare beneficiaries to help them pay for prescription drugs. When they learn about the Medicare credit, more than four out of five (84 percent) believe it will be helpful to low-income Medicare beneficiaries, including two-thirds who think it will be very helpful.
"The Pharmacy Care Alliance survey shows that Medicare beneficiaries who need the most help with their prescription drug costs are eager to learn more and eager to receive the assistance the Medicare drug discount cards will provide," said Mary Ann Wagner, president and consumer health advisor for the Pharmacy Care Alliance. "We look forward to working with Medicare beneficiaries and our growing network of more than 41,000 pharmacies beginning May 3, to help our patients understand the benefits of the discount cards and begin saving money."