Drug card information goes online

WASHINGTON — The Medicare program Thursday unveiled an online tool to help beneficiaries compare the prices and benefits of private drug discount cards that go on sale Monday.

Bush administration officials predicted the information about the cards, by sparking increased competition in drug pricing, would lower prescription prices not only for Medicare beneficiaries who sign up for the cards but also for millions of other Americans.

"They will have a tremendous benefit," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said in a conference call with reporters.

Critics of the cards, however, said they will do little to reduce rapidly escalating drug prices and warned that beneficiaries could be victims of "bait and switch" marketing practices.

Medicare has approved 39 national companies and 32 regional companies to provide the cards. One card from a nationwide long-term care company also has been approved. Additional companies are expected to be approved in the next few weeks, according to Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

As of late Thursday, comparative information for 35 cards had been posted on Medicare's Web site —www.medicare.gov — and more were expected to be added before Monday's starting date for sales.

Beneficiaries may use the Web site to learn which cards cover their prescriptions, how much the cards will cost and what prices will be charged for each drug at local pharmacies.

Beneficiaries also may receive the same information by calling Medicare's toll-free hotline at 1-800-633-4227 and speaking to one of 1,400 customer service representatives manning the phones 24 hours a day. After the call, a detailed analysis of the results will be sent to each caller, McClellan said.

"We are trying to empower consumers," McClellan said. "Our goal is higher quality and lower costs."

Thompson urged beneficiaries not to rush into making an immediate selection, but to use the month before the cards take effect to shop for the best value.

There is no deadline for enrolling in the cards, but beneficiaries may only enroll in one card for the remainder of 2004. They may switch to a different card for 2005 during an open enrollment period beginning Nov. 15. The cards are scheduled to be replaced by the Medicare prescription drug program in January 2006.