Medicare Fact Sheet

As of 5/11/04

I. Medicare-Approved Discount Drug Card:

This is NOT Part "D"/Medicare Drug Benefit

• Selecting a Medicare-Approved drug discount card is your choice
• You do not lose the opportunity to get a card if you wait
• One time annual fee ranges from $0-30
• 73 different cards/40 cards nationwide
• You can only choose one
• Drug & prices are not locked in & can change
• It will not cost more if you wait to get a card so you can compare different ones
• You may be eligible to receive up to a $600 credit each calendar year 2004 & 2005, if:
  1. You don't have other health insurance with outpatient prescription drug coverage
  2. Your annual income in 2004 is $12,569/ (indiv) or $16,862/ (couple) or less.

II. Medigap/Medicare Supplement Insurance

• Must be 65 or over (or disabled) & have both Part(s) A and B of Medicare
• 10 standard plans A-J plus 2 high deductible plans
• Until new Medicare benefits begin in 2006-typically fewer preventative svcs
  paid than group plans
• There will be additional options offered in 2005 for the 2006 plan year under the new Medicare Part D Benefit, which will include drug coverage of some kind. (Watch this website for updates) Go to Information request to be on mailing list.