Companies get go-ahead on drug discount cards
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today approved 28 private companies that will sponsor Medicare drug discount cards. The companies will start enrolling senior citizens in May. The government will offer guidance on choosing a drug discount card, starting next week with a booklet that will be available on www.medicare.gov. In late April, the same site will offer a way to compare prices of drugs in the drug discount card program.
The cards will cost $30 or less per year. They will be free to low-income seniors, that is, individuals making less than $12,569 a year – and couples making less than $16,862 a year. Consumer groups say seniors may be able to save more with other methods such as online pharmacies, drug company assistance programs or buying drugs from Canada.
Everything you always wanted to know about the drug discount cards, but were afraid to ask.
