Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card:
Coordination with Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled Program (DEL)
Some DEL members are eligible for $600 of prescription drug assistance in 2005.
This is part of the Medicare-approved Prescription Drug Discount
Card program. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has picked the Rx Savings
Access TM Card sponsored by McKesson Health Solutions for DEL members
who are eligible for the $600 assistance.
If you are a DEL member who is eligible for the $600 prescription drug assistance,
DHHS will automatically enroll you in the Rx Savings Access/DEL card. Please
do not enroll in another Medicare-approved Drug Discount card.
You will use the card for your $600
Medicare drug assistance. Then, after the $600 is used up, you will use the
DEL card for your DEL discount.
DHHS has worked to provide a card with the best benefit for you. If you have
any questions, call the Department's Member Help Desk at 1-866-796-2463 TTY - 1-800-423-4331, or read
below for more details.
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The Maine Department of Health and Human Services will automatically enroll you with the Maine Preferred Drug Discount Card Sponsor if you are enrolled in the Low Cost Drug for the Elderly and Disabled Program and are eligible for the $600 Transitional Assistance.
Who is eligible for automatic enrollment with the Maine Preferred Drug Discount Card Sponsor?
You may be automatically enrolled with the Maine Preferred Drug Discount Card Sponsor if you are a DEL Member and are eligible to get $600 in 2005 to pay for your prescriptions.
You will be automatically enrolled if you are a DEL member and:
- you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B, and
- your income is not more than $12,920 ($17,321 for a couple), or you are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (the state is paying your Medicare Part B Premium).
Income includes money that you receive through retirement benefits from Social Security, Railroad Retirement, the Federal government, or other sources; benefits you receive for a disability or as a Veteran; and any other sources you would report for tax purposes.
You cannot get $600 from Medicare to help with your prescriptions if you receive prescription drug coverage from any of the following:
- TRICARE for Life
- Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan
- An employer group health plan or other health insurance coverage (other than a Medicare supplemental policy).
Your savings and other assets are not considered for the $600 assistance.
Who is the Maine Preferred Drug Card Sponsor?
The name of the card is Rx Savings AccessTM. The Rx Savings Access card is sponsored by McKesson Health Solutions.
Can I opt out of automatic enrollment and select a different Medicare-approved Drug Discount Card?
Yes, you can choose among the other Medicare-approved drug discount cards available in Maine. However, if you do so, you will need to keep track of your prescription drug expenses. Your DEL benefits will be suspended until you are able to verify that you have spent $600 out-of-pocket for prescription drugs or through transitional assistance from another card sponsor.
What will I do with my DEL member card?
McKesson Health Solutions will mail you an Rx Savings Access™ card. You will use this card for your $600 assistance on your prescription drug purchases. Then, after you use the $600 assistance, you will use your DEL card again. If you lose your Rx Savings Access™ or DEL card, call DEL Member Services at 1-866-796-2463 (TTY 1-800-423-4331).
How do I use the $600 to pay for prescriptions?
The pharmacy will work with McKesson Health Solutions and the Department of Health and Human Services to keep track of your prescription drug expenses. The expenses will be applied to your discount card until the $600 is used up in 2005. Each time you fill a covered prescription you will have to pay 5% or 10% of the cost, depending on your income. The pharmacy will subtract the rest of the prescription cost from the $600 on your card. You cannot use the $600 to buy benzodiazepines, over-the-counter drugs, drugs used for cosmetic purposes and a few other drugs.
Note: If you also received $600 in 2004, any left over amount will be used in 2005.
What happens when my $600 runs out?
When you have used all of your $600, you will continue to get your DEL benefits to save money on your prescriptions.
If you have questions about your DEL benefits and the Medicare-approved drug discount card program, call DEL Member Services, toll-free, at 1-866-796-2463 (TTY 1-800-423-4331).
If you have questions about Medicare or other health insurance call the Maine SHIP at 1-877-353-3771 (Voice and TTY 1-800-750-5353).
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