Contact: Scott Parkin

202-479-6975 (direct)

703-975-2007 (cell )

Statement of James Firman

Chair, Access to Benefits Coalition

President and CEO, The National Council on the Aging

Access to Benefits Coalition Applauds Improvements

to Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Program

The Access to Benefits Coalition commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for enhancements announced today to the Medicare.gov web site that will make it easier for consumers to learn how to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars using Medicare-approved discount cards and other complementary public and private programs.

ABC especially applauds the inclusion of more detailed information about manufacturer "wrap-around" programs that provide extra savings for lower income beneficiaries who qualify for the $600 credit. These programs, offered by seven companies, provide prescription drugs for free or for a modest monthly fee once a Medicare beneficiary has used up their $600 annual credit.

ABC is also pleased that the card sponsors and CMS have responded quickly to a concern we raised in testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on June 9. We said that better information about “wrap-around” programs was critical if lower income beneficiaries were to make informed choices among Medicare-approved discount cards. The new information on Medicare.gov will make it possible for those who counsel beneficiaries to provide even better advice and should help spur enrollment among lower income seniors and those with disabilities who qualify for Medicare.

The Coalition believes that other enhancements announced today such as the "Top 5 - Best Choice" list of the five cards that offer the lowest aggregate prices for an individual's drugs should also make it easier for those who use the site to decide which drug discount cards to sign up for.

The Coalition continues to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reach out and enroll lower income beneficiaries nationally. As part of the Coalition's overall strategy, ABC yesterday announced the awarding of grants to 27 “catalyst” organizations in 30 targeted metropolitan areas to convening and organize local ABC coalitions and to develop coordinated community-wide outreach and enrollment strategies. These local coalitions should be operational within weeks and will provide the kind of one-on-one counseling needed to find significant savings for the 6.9 million lower income seniors and those with disabilities who qualify for Medicare.

ABC is a public-private partnership dedicated to ensuring that lower-income beneficiaries know about and can make optimal use of new Medicare prescription drug benefits and all other available resources for saving money on prescription drugs. Coalition members share a commitment to helping Medicare beneficiaries find the public and private prescription savings programs they need to maintain their health and improve the quality of their lives. In addition to the resources of its 78 members, ABC activities are supported by funds being raised from public and private sources, including government, private industry and foundations. Chaired by The National Council on the Aging, ABC is led by a five-member Steering Committee, comprised of leaders from NCOA; AARP; Alzheimer's Association; National Alliance for Hispanic Health; and Easter Seals. Further information is available at www.accesstobenefits.org .

# # #