One of the most important votes I’ve cast as Congressman, for Ohio’s Third District, is the one last fall that reformed Medicare and for the first time added a prescription drug benefit plan to the 40 year old program.  Passing Medicare reform and adding a prescription drug benefit has been debated and talked about since the early 1990s.  I am excited to be part of the 108th Congress that finally was successful taking action so more American seniors can get the prescription drugs they need at a price they can afford.

The program is completely voluntary.  Seniors who are satisfied with their current prescription drug benefits do not need to do anything.  Seniors, who want prescription drug assistance, began signing-up for the Medicare-endorsed Prescription Drug Discount Card of their choice on May 3rd.

Almost anyone with Medicare can get a discount card.  The only people who aren’t eligible are those who have outpatient prescription drug coverage through Medicaid when they apply.

Seniors who need help the most receive the greatest aid.  Low income seniors may qualify for up to a $600 credit on their Medicare-approved drug discount card.  Single seniors with income under $12,569 and senior married couples with income under $16,862 may qualify for the $600 credit.

Ohio seniors have over two-dozen programs to choose from, but may select only one card program to enroll in.  I urge seniors to take this month to study the options available and find the best program for their specific needs.  Medicare is making an extraordinary effort to help seniors with what could be a confusing choice: whether to sign up for the 100% voluntary program at all and, if so, which discount card is best for each individual’s needs.

Help is available on the web at www.medicare.gov, click on “Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs,” and by calling, toll-free, at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.  Once seniors have selected which provider program they wish to participate in, they can enroll by contacting that company and asking for the Medicare-approved drug discount card enrollment form.  Depending on the company, seniors can apply by mailing or faxing the completed form to the company or supplying the information over the telephone or over the web.

To further assist Ohio Third District seniors understand the new Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card programs and options I will hold two Community Meetings on Thursday, May 27th.  All seniors with questions about Medicare and prescription drugs are welcome to join me, representatives from the state of Ohio and the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) who will be on hand to discuss the facts regarding the new prescription drug benefits and prescription provider options available under Medicare.

In addition to the new Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card, several pharmaceutical companies have special programs to provide reduced-cost or free medications to eligible, low income, seniors.  Representatives from PhRMA, Together Rx and others will be at my Community Meetings to answer questions about their low income assistance programs.

The meetings will be on Thursday, May 27th.  The first will be between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Otterbein Retirement Living Community, Lebanon Facility.
585 N. State Route 74
Lebanon, Ohio

Later that afternoon (Thursday, May 27th) I will conduct a second Community Meeting at the Hoover Place Senior Community from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
5407 Hoover Avenue
Dayton, Ohio

I’ve conducted several of these Medicare/Prescription Drug Meetings in the past and believe they were very helpful to the seniors who attended. 

If you are a senior who has heard debate, but remain unsure how the new Medicare reforms will benefit you personally; I sincerely hope you will join me for one of the two Community Meetings scheduled for May 27th.  I am confident once seniors better understand the options that are available to them they will appreciate the additional choices and lower costs the prescription benefits of the new Medicare reforms.