BALTIMORE, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medicare Rx Access Network of Maryland was launched today at a press conference at the Senior Network of North Baltimore. The network is one of the 50 state programs of the national Medicare Rx Education Network. The effort was created to share resources, coordinate activities and disseminate information to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers about the new Medicare Part D drug coverage.
Currently, there are 37 member organizations participating in the Medicare Rx Access Network of Maryland representing seniors, patients, people with disabilities and chronic diseases, pharmacists, healthcare providers and businesses.
"Approximately half a million residents of Maryland are eligible for this new prescription drug benefit. It is important that we help our seniors and people with disabilities and chronic diseases make informed decisions about their options regarding the new drug coverage," said Linda Boyer, executive director, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Maryland and Greater Washington Area. "The Medicare Rx Access Network of Maryland is working hard to make sure that beneficiaries get accurate information and know where to go in their local communities to get help in order to receive the prescription benefit."
Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare will include a prescription drug benefit that could provide Medicare beneficiaries with savings on their prescription medicines. Medicare covers hospitalization and visits to the doctor, but until now Medicare has not covered prescription drugs. The new prescription drug benefit will offer 42 million people coverage for a wide array of medicines. Detailed information about prescription drug plans for Maryland will become available in October before enrollment begins on November 15, 2005.
"It is critical that we reach out to people in Medicare and those who care for them so beneficiaries can make confident, informed decisions about their prescription drug coverage," said Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "This new network and its efforts will be a big help toward our goal of reaching seniors and people with a disability where they live, work, pray and play."
Employers and unions will also send information to their former employees and members in October, allowing these beneficiaries to compare their current coverage with other Medicare prescription plans.
Low-income beneficiaries -- approximately 144,673 Maryland Medicare recipients -- will get extra help and pay little or nothing at all. Like other forms of insurance coverage, Medicare's prescription drug insurance protects against high costs in the present and unexpected costs in the future.
In response to beneficiaries asking: "What can I do right now?" Mary Swem, SHIP Coordinator, Senior Center of North Baltimore said, "Make a checklist. Write down the names of the drugs you take, the dosages and frequency (one or two times a day). Write down the pharmacies you like to use. And write down what kind of prescription drug coverage you already have, if you have any. When beneficiaries start comparing plans in October, they can choose a plan that covers the drugs they take, supplies them through the pharmacy or mail order they prefer and they can select a plan that fits their budget."
The Medicare Rx Access Network of Maryland hopes to eliminate duplication of efforts and maximize the effectiveness of outreach efforts. The network also hopes to pre-empt any confusion about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage by making sure information disseminated about the benefit is factual and accurately conveyed. The network will, whenever possible, direct beneficiaries to local resources in neighborhoods and communities where questions can be answered face-to-face or in a phone call with a local counselor. The network does not engage in legislative activities or take positions on pending legislative or administrative policies related to the Medicare Part D benefit and its implementation.
Medicare Rx Access Network of MarylandCONTACT: Keri Douglas, +1-202-276-1702, for Medicare Rx Access Network ofMaryland
