Over 200 Organizations Launch Effort to Inform Seniors About New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

Massive grassroots campaign will reach beneficiaries in all 50 states and D.C.

(PRWEB) Monday, July 17, 2006 -WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders of Medicare Today, a national partnership of organizations committed to providing consumers with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare's new prescription drug benefit, today announced the details of a national grassroots campaign that will take place in the coming months to help seniors fully understand Medicare's new provisions.

Medicare Today is comprised of more than 200 diverse organizations able to reach large segments of the population. These groups include AARP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Wal-Mart, among others. Together, the group has planned a comprehensive outreach program to reach seniors through a targeted, person-to-person approach, explaining the Medicare drug benefit and other new Medicare features clearly, objectively and with innovative tools. The campaign will intensify after Labor Day with informational events in communities nationwide.

"Millions of Americans stand to have their health and their finances improved through Medicare's new prescription drug program, and we want to ensure that no Medicare beneficiary misses out on these important benefits because they have unanswered questions," said Mary R. Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, which is coordinating Medicare Today's efforts. "We are going to provide factual, nonpolitical information to help beneficiaries make informed decisions about how the new drug coverage may meet their specific health needs and affect their pocketbooks."

Evidence suggests that seniors need more information about the prescription drug coverage that will begin January 1, 2006. A poll conducted by the American Viewpoint public opinion research firm in late 2004 - nearly one-year after Congress enacted the Medicare Modernization Act - found that only 20 percent of seniors and pre-retirees surveyed said they had a "fair" or better knowledge of the legislation. Medicare Today organizers believe this status has not changed significantly, but that intensive education activities can improve upon these awareness statistics before the enrollment period begins on November 15.

A key element of the Medicare Today campaign involves the development of unique, interactive tools to provide beneficiaries with detailed information specific to their own circumstances. One such tool, already being made available to pharmacies, physician offices and senior centers nationwide, allows consumers to estimate their annual prescription drug costs, combine it with their annual household income and have the tool calculate their annual out-of-pocket costs under the new Medicare prescription drug coverage.

"Everyone needs to lay down their arms in the political battles surrounding Medicare," said Grealy. "Groups from across political and ideological spectrums need to come together to do what's right for beneficiaries. Millions of seniors need affordable prescription drug coverage and need to better understand this benefit, and that needs to be our sole focus in the coming months."

Medicare Today has engaged organizers in every state to coordinate local events in senior centers, senior housing facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores and other gathering places to inform beneficiaries about the new Medicare provisions. More than 300 Medicare Today spokespersons - including seniors, pharmacists and physicians well versed in the program - will explain the new benefits and answer questions about the enrollment process.

Activities will include:

Presentations to key community organizations, such as senior centers, Rotary clubs, service organizations and local disease / patient support groups, in cities and towns nationwide.

Information materials distributed in thousands of grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, physician offices, health clubs and retirement communities.

Coordinated efforts with members of Congress and state and municipal elected officials to conduct Town Hall meetings to fully explain the new benefits. "This is a massive person-to-person education campaign, involving the combined reach of physicians, drug stores, hospitals, employers, caregivers and retirees," Grealy said. "There is a lot at stake here, specifically the health and financial well-being of millions of Medicare beneficiaries whose lives can be made better through this new prescription drug coverage."

More information about Medicare Today initiatives is available at www.MedicareToday.org