CYPRESS, Calif., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In an effort to educate America’s seniors as to the value of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. launched a national public information campaign to provide Medicare enrollees, families and consumers with important educational information about Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage, commonly known as Part D.
At the heart of PacifiCare’s outreach is www.PartDandMe.com, an innovative, easy-to-navigate Web site specifically designed to help seniors, caregivers and consumers learn more about the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. In addition, toll-free hotlines and informative newsletters are also available to help reach all of America’s seniors and answer their questions and alleviate their concerns.
“Seniors across America are eager to learn more about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit and often don’t know where to go to find comprehensive, easy-to-understand information,” said Jacqueline Kosecoff, PacifiCare’s executive vice president, Specialty Companies. “PartDandMe.com is the cornerstone of PacifiCare’s nationwide effort to empower seniors with the knowledge and the answers they need to make educated, informed choices regarding their prescription drug benefits. Whether they opt to find their information online or over the telephone, we believe seniors will become more knowledgeable consumers when it comes time to choose the Medicare Part D plan that best fits their needs.”
PartDandMe.com is divided into plainly indexed sections and features appealing, uncomplicated graphics and easy-to-understand terms. The main overview covers key topics such as how Medicare Part D works and explains eligibility criteria and the enrollment process, as well as a summary page showing the major program points at a glance.
Other sections offer information on program benefits, brand vs. generic drugs, and key timelines and dates. A convenient pop-up glossary in every page highlights important facts and defines Medicare-related terms, and visitors can download a valuable planning worksheet to help them, or a loved one, prepare in advance for enrollment.
PacifiCare will further enhance PartDandMe.com with important, specific consumer information including a comparison of benefits, a tool to look up specific prescription drugs and a cost estimator function -- all available on Oct. 7 when health plans such as PacifiCare begin marketing their respective Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
In addition to PartDandMe.com, PacifiCare also has set up convenient, national toll-free hotlines available in English and Spanish and for the hearing impaired. Staffed by trained professionals and available during extended business hours, the hotlines provide answers to Part D-related questions and information regarding additional Part D resources.
Also, PartDandMe.com visitors and hotline callers can register to receive up-to-the-minute information via e-mail in the form of electronic educational newsletters, which will be disseminated regularly until the Medicare Part D enrollment process is fully under way.
Through the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, Medicare beneficiaries are guaranteed access to prescription drugs. Those enrolled in traditional Medicare can sign up for the Part D benefit as a standalone program or choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO or private fee- for-service plan.
In March, PacifiCare filed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) its intent to offer standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans nationwide -- in all 34 regions established by CMS -- to beneficiaries enrolled in the federal government’s standard fee-for-service Medicare program. In addition, PacifiCare will offer enhanced prescription drug benefits to more than 740,000 members already enrolled in its Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plans beginning in 2006.
PacifiCare Health Systems is one of the nation’s largest consumer health organizations with nearly 3.3 million health plan members and approximately 11.3 million specialty plan members nationwide. PacifiCare offers individuals, employers and Medicare beneficiaries a variety of consumer-driven health care and life insurance products. Specialty plan operations include behavioral health, dental and vision, and complete pharmacy benefit management through its wholly owned subsidiary, Prescription Solutions. More information on PacifiCare Health Systems is available at www.pacificare.com.
PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.
CONTACT: Cheryl Randolph, +1-714-226-3441 cheryl.randolph@phs.com, or DanMiller, +1-714-226-3726, dan.miller@phs.com, Media Relations, both ofPacifiCare Health Systems Inc.
