Pick a Card!#?$!
Then I have a brainstorm. I'll call that pharmacy, find out which plans it participates in, and work backward from there. Reverse engineering!
Alas, this proves impossible. Leo Mallard, the pharmacy owner, tells me that even he isn't sure which plans he's participating in. That's because the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) he works with -- companies that administer prescription drug programs -- have been signing him up for Medicare drug discount programs without telling him. In fact, his staff is working right now to try to pull together a list.
Many programs won't give seniors significant savings over the 10 percent discount he already offers them, says Mallard. The plans he likes best so far are Community Care Rx and Pharmacy Care Alliance.
But according to Medicare.gov, his pharmacy doesn't participate in those.
Okay, Here's the Plan
We'll wait a few weeks. There's no deadline for enrolling and, as far as I can tell, the savings aren't going to be so great (if there are any at all) that deferring the decision could cost Mom much. And once she signs up for a card, she's stuck with it for a while: Changes aren't allowed until open season at the end of the year. So I'll give Mom's pharmacy time to sort out which programs it participates in and then get a list from Mallard.
In the meantime, maybe Medicare will clear up some of the Web site glitches. Maybe the discount card programs will work out their customer service and database issues and update some of those 1997 prices. Maybe the PBMs will let the pharmacies know which programs they are working with. Maybe Medicare will spring for a few more phone operators and cut back on the TV commercials. And maybe a squad of flying pigs with MBAs will descend into seniors' homes and help them make decisions personally.
I figure that, in a few months, helping Mom pick a discount card will be easy. It should take about an hour.•
Lisa Barrett Mann, a regular contributor, has been following the Medicare prescription discount card program for the Health section.
© 2004 The Washington Post Company
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Line Busy? Others Can Help
Got questions about Medicare prescription card choices? Can't get through on 800-MEDICARE? Other state and local agencies are gearing up to help. (State offices will give you the number for a local counseling center.)
As of last week, counseling appointments at these agencies were available with little or no wait. However, some agencies require consumers to first provide prescription information (either by phone or on a form that must be completed and mailed back) before making an appointment. Seniors for whom that's a problem -- those, for example, who can't read the small print on their prescription bottles -- should let advisers know by phone.
Also worth noting: Counselors will be using the Medicare.gov Web site as their primary information source. Given some of the glitches discovered on the site, it may make sense to wait a few weeks to allow for cleanup before making an appointment.
• In the District: Health Insurance Counseling Project, 202-739-0668, TTY: 202-973-1079; provided through the George Washington University Law School.
• In Maryland: Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program, 410-767-1100 or 800-AGE-DIAL (800-243-3425), TTY: 410-767-1083.
• In Virginia: Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Project, 804-662-9333 or 800-552-3402, TTY: 804-662-9333 or 800-552-3402.
-- Lisa Barrett Mann
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