Drug card requires thought

Seniors facing decisions about the new Medicare drug discount cards should take their time, do research and remember they don’t have to make a decision right away.

That is the advice being given by Senior Services of Snohomish County.

"Don’t do anything right away. Research your options and don’t just jump in and sign up," said Bob Quirk, social services director at Senior Services.

The organization is sponsoring forums, which begin Tuesday, to help answer questions seniors have. More than 40 volunteers will help people through the process.

"We knew this Medicare (prescription card) was coming," Quirk said. "We got ourselves prepared to help a lot of people if we need to."

Demand for information is high. Nationally, 408,000 people called a toll-free Medicare number last Monday, on its first day of operations, Quirk said.

"We’re trying to get the word out," he said. "There is help locally."

One 82-year-old woman recently said that between herself and her 88-year-old husband, they were spending $510 a month on medications.

They have insurance benefits to help pay for prescriptions, but it requires a co-payment.

"It’s kind of typical," Quirk said. "People have some (benefits), and it covers part of it, but not everything. They’re confused about what to do."

Finding the answers can take hours of research, he said.

Here’s some tips to speed up the process:

  • Write down the names of all your medications and their dosage.

  • Add up how much you’re paying for medications.

  • Verify your annual gross income ($600 credits are available for single people whose income is $12,596 a year or less or $16,862 for couples).

    While it might be tempting for people taking multiple prescriptions to shop for the best price for each one, "that might not be the best thing," Quirk said, because of one pharmacy isn’t tracking each of the drugs and watching for possible drug interactions.

    "My dad takes 13 medications," he said. "It scares me to think he may get them from three different pharmacies because he’s trying to get the best deal."

    Unlike other parts of Medicare, there’s no penalty for not signing up immediately.

    "If people don’t want the card or need the card, they don’t have to" get it, Quirk said. "They won’t be penalized for not signing up."

    Thirty-nine companies are offering the cards, with savings of up to 25 percent. Each card has an individual list of discounted drugs.

    Costs for a discount card range up to $30 a year, and seniors can only sign up for one card a year. Once they sign up, they won’t be able to switch until Nov. 15.

    With 39 discount cards available, "I wouldn’t be surprised if someone gets (offers for) five to 10 cards that might cover their medications," Quirk said.

    Not only do seniors need to check to see which plans cover their medications, they also need to see which cards their local pharmacy accepts, he said.

    Reporter Sharon Salyer:

    425-339-3486 or

    salyer@heraldnet.com.

    Tuesday: 1-3 p.m., South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds.

    Wednesday: 9-11 a.m., Lynnwood Senior Center, 5800 198th Street SW, Lynnwood.

    Thursday: 10 a.m.-noon, Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd., Arlington.

    Friday: 10 a.m.-noon, Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd., Arlington.

    Saturday: 10 a.m.-noon, Everett Transit Station, fourth floor, 3201 Smith Ave., Everett.

    For more information: Call the Senior Information and Assistance line, part of Senior Services of Snohomish County, at 425-513-1900 or 800-422-2024, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for answers to questions about Medicare discount cards.

    Online information is available at www.medicare.gov.

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