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Skriven 2005-08-29 23:36:46 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050829) for Mon, 2005 Aug 29
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Fact Sheet: New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit to Include Low-Cost
Options
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 29, 2005

Fact Sheet: New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit to Include Low-Cost
Options



Today's Presidential Action

Today, President Bush Announced New Low-Cost Options Under The Medicare
Prescription Drug Benefit That Will Be Available Beginning In January 2006.
Medicare beneficiaries will have choices for prescription drug coverage
that will cost less and offer more benefits than originally expected.
Competition is working to drive down prices, and the President encouraged
seniors across the country to sign up for the new benefit.
  þ Prescription Drug Plans Will Offer Low-Cost Alternatives For Medicare
    Beneficiaries. Medicare beneficiaries in almost every state will be
    able to choose plans that have a premium of less than $20 per month. In
    addition, some plans will have zero deductibles or deductibles lower
    than $250 annually, and other plans will provide additional benefits to
    help cover the gap in Medicare's standard coverage.

New Medicare Coverage Will Offer All Medicare Beneficiaries Better Choices
  þ Reform Brought Medicare Into The 21st Century. Medicare was created 40
    years ago to provide health care for seniors and people with
    disabilities, but it had not kept up with advances in medicine. For
    example, Medicare would pay $28,000 for ulcer surgery, but not $500 for
    prescription drugs to prevent ulcers. In addition, Medicare would pay
    for heart surgery, but not for drugs to prevent the heart surgery from
    being needed. Reform had been promised for years. The Medicare
    Modernization Act signed by President Bush got it done.
  þ Millions Of Americans Are Already Taking Part In Medicare's Expanded
    Range Of Health Care Services. Medicare offers a variety of new
    programs, including: a prescription drug discount card; preventive care
    like the "Welcome to Medicare" physical; and cardiovascular and blood
    sugar screenings that can help identify and prevent high blood
    pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
  þ New Medicare Coverage Will Help All Medicare Beneficiaries Pay For
    Prescription Drugs. Starting in January, drug coverage will be
    available that will allow seniors with no drug coverage and average
    drug expenses to cut their drug costs by half or more. For catastrophic
    coverage, Medicare will also cover 95 percent of all prescription costs
    once beneficiaries spend $3,600 of their own money each year.
  þ New Medicare Drug Benefits Offer Choice And Flexibility. Everyone on
    Medicare can pick the drug plan that fits his or her individual needs.
    Beneficiaries will be able to choose brand name drugs or generic drugs
    - and pick them up at local pharmacies or receive them by mail.
      þ Seniors Can Get Support For Retiree Plans. Medicare will help pay
        for the costs of good retiree drug coverage from a former employer
        or union to help keep retiree coverage secure.
  þ Medicare Advantage Plans Allow Seniors And Americans With Disabilities
    To Get Better Drug Benefits At A Lower Cost. Seniors and Americans with
    disabilities who choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans can get
    additional coverage at a lower cost, saving an average of $100 per
    month compared to traditional Medicare.
  þ Medicare Will Pay Nearly All Drug Bills For Seniors With Limited Means.
    About one-third of seniors will be eligible for a Medicare drug benefit
    with little or no premiums, low deductibles, and no gaps in coverage.
    Co-payments will amount to no more than $5 for most seniors with
    limited means, and more than 95 percent of their drug bills will be
    covered. No senior will ever again have to choose between paying for
    their drugs and paying for other basic necessities like food and rent.

President Bush Urged Seniors And Americans With Disabilities To Take Part
In New Medicare Benefits
  þ The Administration Is Conducting A National Outreach Effort. This
    effort is bringing medical, community, and local partners together with
    the Federal government to educate seniors and Americans with
    disabilities about the new prescription drug benefit. Those with
    questions can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for
    answers.
      þ Eligibility Forms For The Limited-Income Subsidy Are Available Now.
        Millions of current Medicaid beneficiaries with limited means will
        be automatically enrolled for extra help with drug costs, and
        subsidy applications have been mailed by the Social Security
        Administration to millions of other low-income seniors and
        Americans with disabilities who are likely to be eligible. Forms
        are also available at locations around the country, including over
        30,000 pharmacies. No financial documents or complicated records
        are required. "When in doubt, fill it out."

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