WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx(TM)) launched MedicareRXConnect(TM) a new, web-based resource aimed at helping people with Medicare (including those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid) and those caring for and working with them to quickly and efficiently find information about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. Insurance plans offering Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage will begin marketing their plans on October 1, 2005, and enrollment begins on November 15, 2005.
MedicareRXConnect(TM) is located at http://www.maprx.info and includes links to a wide variety of information grouped under the questions most frequently asked by beneficiaries as they decide whether or not to enroll, and which plan to select if they do. The site also includes state-by-state guides of agencies and organizations where beneficiaries can obtain state-specific information and assistance to make this important decision.
Designed especially for individuals in position to assist Medicare beneficiaries with special needs (including those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid), MedicareRXConnect(TM) is uniquely suited for Congressional staff, patient support and advocacy organizations, health professionals and their staff, hotline operators, community counselors, family caregivers, social workers, and others.
"Many Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible individuals will turn to their support networks for help with decisions about this important new program. Our primary goal with this website is to support beneficiaries, and those assisting them, to select the BEST health plan to meet their individual prescription drug needs" said Eric R. Hargis, President and CEO, Epilepsy Foundation, a MAPRx member organization.
MedicareRXConnect(TM) includes links to resources (including fact sheets and interactive, decision-making tools) from the federal government, advocacy organizations and foundations. The site will be updated frequently as new information and tools become available in the coming months.
"Individuals with chronic diseases and disabilities, who have so much at stake when selecting their prescription drug coverage, are especially in need of easy-to-find and understand information about the factors they need to consider in making decisions about this new benefit," said Priscilla Chatman, J.D., Vice President, Public Policy and Government, Lupus Foundation of America, a MAPRx member organization. "There is good information about the new coverage out there, and there are systems in place to support people as they make these decisions. The goal of MedicareRXConnect(TM) is to connect them with these resources in an easy-to-use, one-stop shopping format."
MAPRx http://www.maprx.info is a coalition of patient, family caregiver and health professional organizations committed to safeguarding the well-being of patients with chronic diseases and disabilities under Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. See list of member organizations http://www.maprx.info/about_us.html
Medicare Access for Patients RxCONTACT: Scott Sanders, +1-202-332-2303, for Medicare Access for PatientsRx
Web site: http://www.maprx.info/
