Time is Running Out For $600 Transitional
Assistance For Prescriptions

Rio Grande, Ohio – Through a grant awarded to the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. (AAA7) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging, a campaign has been in full swing throughout the district’s counties of Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton to inform seniors about the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card program.

“The consortium of Senior Center partners have been actively providing outreach and enrollment activities so that eligible seniors knew about the $600 transitional assistance money available for last year,” states Suzanne Shelpman, AAA7 project director. “We are now concerned that seniors, who did not enroll for a drug discount card before December 31st and meet the income eligibility, have only 3 months until March 31st to apply for the full $600 for 2005.”

Pamela K. Matura, AAA7 executive director, has been closely watching this newly implemented Medicare program since its inception in the Spring, 2004 and admits the reservations that some seniors initially had are understandable. “Our seniors need the most help they can receive in regard to rising healthcare costs. With the one-on-one education the seniors are receiving in this project, I am pleased to see their prescription costs discounted yet their choice of pharmacy and individual needs taken into consideration.”

AAA7 is urging any senior who receives Medicare Part A and/or Part B and has not applied for a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card, to contact the Senior Center in their county of residence for assistance in enrollment. Anyone needing this information can access their center’s phone number on the Agency’s website at http://www.aaa7.org or by calling 1-800-582-7277, ext. 500 that serves as the Medcard RX hotline, and be referred to a representative in their county.