How Can Medicare Beneficiaries Save

More than seven million low-income Medicare beneficiaries who do not have Medicaid drug coverage could save as much as 86 percent off the cost of their drugs by enrolling in one of the top ten Medicare-approved drug discount cards, according to a new report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Real examples of this kind of savings include Wanda Blackmore and Gladys Cole both of Kansas City. Using her discount card and the $600 credit, Wanda reduced her monthly bill from $17 to $1.70, a savings of 90 percent. Gladys dropped her monthly bill using the card and her $600 credit from $120 to less than $20, a savings of 83 percent.

There are three simple things beneficiaries should know when calling 1-800-MEDICARE:

• Their zip code;

• Their drugs and dosages (having the bottles in hand can help);

• Their monthly income.

CMS operators will send a personalized report that includes a list of the lowest cost cards and the pharmacies where they are accepted with an application so they can make a decision about which card is best and apply directly to the card sponsor.

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The source of this article is http://www.cms.hhs.gov