Medicare Rx Access Network of New York Launches Effort to Educate New Yorkers About New Medicare Drug Coverage
Posted on: Thursday, 29 September 2005, 12:00 CDT
SYRACUSE, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Medicare Rx Access Network of New York was launched today at a press conference at The Nottingham Senior Living Community in Syracuse. The Network is one of 50 state-based programs of the national Medicare Rx Education Network. The over forty member organizations in the Medicare Rx Access Network of New York represent seniors, patients, people with disabilities and chronic diseases, pharmacists, healthcare providers and businesses.
"Over 2 million New Yorkers are eligible for this new prescription drug coverage. It is important that we help our seniors and people with chronic illness such as lung disease make informed decisions about their options regarding the new drug coverage," said Stanton Hudson, CEO of the American Lung Association of New York State and a Network spokesperson.
According to JoAnne Spoto Decker, Director of Community Services Programs for the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth, "The Medicare Rx Access Network of New York was created to share resources, eliminate duplication of efforts, maximize the effectiveness of outreach programs, coordinate activities and disseminate accurate information to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers about the new Medicare Part D drug coverage. It is a valuable resource for those of us who serve the public."
"It is critical that we reach out to people in Medicare and those who care for them so beneficiaries can make confident, informed decisions about their prescription drug coverage," said Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "This new network and its efforts will be a big help toward our goal of reaching seniors and people with a disability where they live, work, pray and play."
Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare will include a prescription drug benefit that could provide Medicare beneficiaries with savings on their prescription medicines. Medicare covers hospitalization and visits to the doctor, but until now Medicare has not covered prescription drugs. The new prescription drug benefit will offer 42 million people coverage for a wide array of medicines.
Enrollment begins Nov. 15, 2005. Detailed information about prescription drug plans for New York will become available this October. Beneficiaries with limited incomes, nearly 700,000 New York citizens, will get extra help and pay little or nothing at all.
"Many beneficiaries are asking 'What can I do right now?'" said Gwen Minton, Helpline and Education Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association of Central New York. "We recommend that they write down the names, dosages and frequency of the drugs they take; the pharmacies that they use; and what kind of prescription drug coverage they may already have. When beneficiaries start comparing plans in October, they can choose a plan that fits their budget, covers the drugs they take and supplies them through the pharmacy or mail order they prefer."
The Medicare Rx Access Network of New York logo can be found at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1950
CONTACT: Medicare Rx Access Network of New York Jaime Venditti (315) 474-7200 ext. 2
Copyright © 2005 PrimeZone Media Network, Inc.
Source: PrimeZone Media Network
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