Help with Medicare drug cards available

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

Federal health officials advise people who get their health insurance through Medicare — which serves the elderly and some disabled people — to find out what prescription drug benefits they have now and what they need to do before signing up for a new drug discount card.

That's the first part of a national effort to help ease the soaring cost of medication. Critics have faulted the program for not doing enough; the federal plan offers some savings to those who lack other prescription drug coverage.

Mary Rydell, local representative for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in recent weeks beneficiaries have bombarded the national offices with 1.6 million phone calls — 10 times the usual volume.

"It's really, really confusing," said Kristell Corpuz, an outreach and enrollment assistant for the Hawai'i Primary Care Association. "The senior citizens don't know where to start."

The association, whose members include nine community health centers, is fielding questions from seniors about the program.

Rydell said there are at least 28 drug discount cards available to Hawai'i residents, which can seem like "a dizzying array." She said those cards could save people 10 percent to 15 percent off their total prescription drug bill.

Of the 175,000 Medicare beneficiaries living in Hawai'i, Rydell said about 30,000 people could benefit from one of the discount card programs and about 36,000 could qualify by the low-income credit of $600.

Rydell suggests calling the national or local numbers or working through the Medicare Web site to do some comparison shopping before deciding if a card is right for you and which one might be best. She says before making the call you should gather up some information, including:

• What medications are you taking — names and dosage.

• Pharmacy options. Are you only willing or able to go to certain pharmacies because of transportation or other issues? Is mail order OK?

• Monthly income. Some low-income people are eligible for a $600 credit and other savings.

• Your ZIP code.

• Any discount cards you already have or want to learn more about. Find out if they have an enrollment fee before you sign up.

Rydell said it's better to call the national number, (800) 633-4227, later in the week, Thursday through Sunday, and between noon and midnight Hawai'i time.

Florence Waldow, who lives in the Kuakini area, hasn't figured out whether the discount cards would offer her a better deal than the program she has now with AARP, where she pays only 50 percent of the cost of her prescription drugs up to a total of $1,000 each year.

Waldow enrolled in that program 25 years ago, when $1,000 worth of drugs sounded like more than she would ever need. "I got it when I was 65 and I'm now 90," she said.

Now, she is taking more medications, prices have gone up and she sometimes needs more than $1,000 worth of medication in a year. Still, she gets some discount through her AARP membership and the coverage she already has.

"I'm not sure if the discount cards would do anything for me," she said. "It's hard for me to know."

Waldow said she will also be finding out more about the Hawai'i Rx program that is scheduled to begin July 1 and creates a state purchasing pool to buy medicine at discount and passes savings to consumers.

Greg Marchildon, state director for AARP, said people should shop carefully and talk to government officials and other advocates.

He said he worries that some people will sign up for the cards and risk better benefits that they have now. That's why he urged people to do their homework in learning about the cards. "Insurance coverage is always better than discounts. Always," he said.

Generally, Rydell said many people in Hawai'i who are retired from the military or other government jobs or who were union members may find they already have much better benefits than the cards offer.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.