Get information about your current prescription drug coverage. Make a list of the prescriptions you currently take and how much you pay for each drug to see if a discount card may be right for you. Decide if you want a discount card. Choose the one that is best for you. Fill out and send your enrollment form to the company.

Almost everyone with Medicare can choose to join a Medicare-approved drug discount card. It doesn't matter whether you have Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B), a Medigap policy, a Medicare managed care plan, or another kind of Medicare health plan. The only people who can't enroll in a Medicare-approved drug discount card are those who have outpatient drug coverage through Medicaid. Please visit the Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs section of www.medicare.

No. The Medicare-approved drug discount cards are voluntary and enrolling is completely your choice. If you don't choose a Medicare-approved drug discount card or turn in an enrollment form, Medicare won't enroll you in a card. Please visit the Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs section of www.medicare.gov for additional information about the Medicare-approved drug discount card program.

Yes. If you are enrolled in a Medicare managed care plan, and your plan offers a drug discount card to you as a plan member, you can choose to join ONLY this discount card. In addition, if you qualify for the $600 credit to help pay for your prescription drugs, you will receive this credit through your Medicare managed care plan. If you choose not to join the discount card offered by your Medicare managed care plan, you can't choose another Medicare-approved drug discount card.

Almost everyone with Medicare can choose to join a Medicare-approved drug discount card. The only people who can't enroll in a Medicare-approved drug discount card are those who have outpatient drug coverage through Medicaid. Please visit the Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs section of www.medicare.gov for additional information about the Medicare-approved drug discount card program. Yes.

When the Medicare Approved Drug Discount Card sponsor submits your application for CMS approval, the CMS system will reject your application if you have prescription drug coverage under Medicaid. The sponsor will then send you a denial letter that identifies the reason for rejection. If you receive a letter from the Card sponsor stating you do not qualify for the Medicare Approved Drug Discount Card, you can appeal the decision by contacting MAXIMUS Center for Health Dispute Resolution.

If you are approved for a Medicare-approved drug discount card (including the $600 credit, if you qualify), you can begin using your card the first day of the month following the month the sponsor receives and approves your completed enrollment form. For example, if you are approved on March 12, 2005 you can begin using your card on April 1, 2005. If you apply early in the month, you may receive your Medicare-approved drug discount card before the first of the following month.

For a small or no enrollment fee, you can get a Medicare-approved drug discount card and save on covered brand-name drugs. You can save even more with generic drugs. You may have to pay an annual enrollment fee of no more than $30 to the drug card sponsor. No matter when you join, the enrollment fee is the same. You can choose to join any time until December 31, 2005, when this program ends. Please visit the Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs section of www.medicare.

Generally, once you have submitted your enrollment form to the Medicare-approved drug discount card sponsor of your choice you must remain enrolled in that card for the rest of the year. There are some special circumstances in which you may disenroll from your current card and enroll in another one during the year. These are: If you choose to leave the Medicare-approved drug discount card you are enrolled in for any reason other than those listed above, you cannot apply for a new discount card.

Yes. You can continue to use your Medicare-approved drug discount card and your credit until May 15, 2006 or until you join a Medicare prescription drug plan, whichever is first. After you join a Medicare prescription drug plan, you can't use your Medicare-approved drug discount card. You also can't use any of the credit you have left. If you apply for the $600 credit for the first time during 2005, the company must receive your completed enrollment form in the beginning part of the year.

Each U.S. territory has its own program to provide lower-income Medicare beneficiaries with additional assistance in paying for their prescription drugs. If you are a resident of one of the territories, you are not eligible for the $600 credit that goes along with the Medicare-approved drug discount card.

Find out which pharmacy provides your prescriptions, and ask which Medicare-approved drug discount cards it accepts. The sponsor will send you a letter letting you know if you are eligible. If you are eligible, you will also get your Medicare-approved drug discount card with that letter. To find out if the pharmacy in your nursing home works with one of these cards, ask the pharmacy or contact the drug card's customer service staff.

you don't have other health insurance with any outpatient prescription drug coverage (except a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap policy), and your monthly income in 2005 is no more than $1,077 * if you are single, or no more than $1,444 * if you are married (this includes your income and your spouse's income). If your state helps pay your Medicare Part A or Part B premiums you may still qualify even if your income is above these amounts.

The Medicare-approved drug discount cards were offered as a transition step until Medicare prescription drug plans became available. You can use your Medicare-approved drug discount card until May 15, 2006, or until you join a Medicare prescription drug plan, whichever is first. Once you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, you can't use your Medicare-approved drug discount card.

Throughout 2005, Medicare will provide you more information about Medicare prescription drug plans, including how to choose and join a drug plan that best meets your needs. In the fall of 2005, the �Medicare & You 2006� handbook will list the Medicare prescription drug plans available in your area, and you will be able to get personalized information at this website.

Medicare is contracting with insurance companies, including Humana, to offer prescription drug plans (PDPs). The PDPs replace the drug discount cards. If you’re considering a PDP, please keep the following in mind: Optional plan. A PDP is an option – not a requirement. However, if you don’t join a PDP when you become eligible, you’ll have to pay a higher premium if you join later. Monthly premium.

This program provides prescription drug coverage for all persons with Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B.  Coverage may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future.  The Prescription Drug Program is offered by private plans and participation is voluntary.

Medicare offers prescription drug coverage for everyone with Medicare, called Medicare Part D. To receive Medicare prescription drug coverage, an individual must choose a Medicare drug plan and pay a monthly premium. These plans are offered by insurance and other private companies approved by Medicare. top