Savings in the cards
Picking the best Medicare drug discount card is tougher than ever
Meantime, policy experts are hoping the government learns some lessons it can apply to the upcoming full Medicare Part D benefit, which kicks off in less than 16 months. "This is just a precursor to 2006," says Robert Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center. "There will be a ton of plans offering drug coverage, which will be equally inexplicable to mortal human beings. I hope Congress takes some lessons from the failure . . . to simplify."
HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU SAVE?
A Medicare card can cut drug costs, but be sure to compare it to savings available from other discount programs. A Medicare card can reduce the cost of prescriptions at the drugstore, and even more by mail order.
CELEBREX
$198.99 Baltimore retail price (30-day supply)
$159.19 Best price with card (at retail*)
$143.27 Best price with card (mail order**)
FOSAMAX
$87.49 Baltimore retail price (30-day supply)
$62.99 Best price with card (at retail*)
$58.62 Best price with card (mail order**)
FUROSEMIDE
$10.89 Baltimore retail price (30-day supply)
$ 4.25 Best price with card (at retail*)
$ 2.07 Best price with card (mail order**)
LIPITOR
$85.99 Baltimore retail price (30-day supply)
$67.93 Best price with card (at retail*)
$60.19 Best price with card (mail order**)
PREMARIN
$36.99 Baltimore retail price (30-day supply)
$27.37 Best price with card (at retail*)
$23.67 Best price with card (mail order**)
*Best discount among seven selected Medicare discount cards
**Per 30-day supply; mail order requires 90-day supply
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
Stephen Rountree--USN&WR
Choice of Card Makes a Difference
The difference between the highest and lowest retail drug prices offered by Medicare-approved drug discount cards (30-day supply).
RETAIL PRICES for a 30-day supply of a typical senior's brand-name and generic drugs in Baltimore
Rx PRESCRIPTION
BENAZELPRIL
lowers blood pressure (hypertension)
LIPITOR
lowers blood cholesterol
LEVOTHYROXINE
treats thyroid problems like hypothyroidism
FOSAMAX
prevents bone loss and
increases bone density
PREMPRO
relieves menopause symptoms,
helps prevent osteoporosis
Card with the highest price $278
Card with the lowest price $234
$44 difference
Sources: Medicare.gov, June 28, 2004; Kaiser Family Foundation
Stephen Rountree--USN&WR
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