New Medicare Card Available At Meijer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer Pharmacies will be enrolling Medicare patients beginning on May 3, 2004 for a discount prescription drug card as a result of the new comprehensive prescription drug benefit program passed by the United States Congress last fall. These Medicare-approved drug discount cards will be available for immediate savings on prescription drugs starting June 1.

Medicare-approved drug discount cards offer a discount off the full retail price of prescriptions. These cards may save 10 - 15 percent on guests’ total outpatient prescription drug costs and as much as 25 percent on certain drugs. These discount cards are being offered until December 31, 2005, when the new comprehensive prescription drug benefit begins.

“We want our patients to know that Meijer is committed to providing them the latest service and programs designed to manage their overall health care coverage,” said Mike Major, VP of Meijer Pharmacy. “This commitment to our guests encompasses our service of providing assistance, counseling and trust.”

Meijer Pharmacists have earned the trust of their patients to provide them with the necessary tools for better health care. Educating patients and ensuring their comfort have enabled Meijer to be a premier destination for health care services.

Medicare patients can pick up enrollment forms for the discount card beginning in May at any of the 158 Meijer Pharmacies throughout its five-state region. In the meanwhile, patients can access Meijer.com for information regarding the new Medicare benefits. When the program becomes effective June 1, Medicare patients are expected to see prescription drug savings of 10 - 25 percent on many medications.

Meijer Pharmacies provide unparalleled services to its guests by:

* Offering a large selection of generic drugs for savings up to 60 percent of prescription drug costs.

* Accepting thousands of insurance plans.

* Counseling. Meijer Pharmacists will take the time to explain prescription drugs and answer questions patients have.

* Providing easy Prescription Transfers. * Having a 24-hour fill-by-phone or online refill service

* Giving online advice - “Ask the Pharmacist” at Meijer.com and get questions answered online by Pharmacy Professionals.

Guiding Medicare patients through the enrollment process will ensure Meijer guests are able to take full advantage of the new discount drug card. For additional information regarding the discount drug benefit programs guests are encouraged to contact their local Meijer Pharmacist.

Meijer is celebrating 70 years in retailing. Meijer is a family owned and operated grocery and general merchandise retailer operating 158 stores throughout the Midwest. The Meijer commitment to its communities will continue to grow as it opens 5 stores in 2004 and 8 stores in 2005.

Meijer

CONTACT: John Zimmerman of Meijer, +1-616-791-5267