HMSA will offer
drug-discount card
All 65C Plus members of the Hawaii Medical Service Association eligible for a Medicare Drug Discount Card will automatically be enrolled in an HMSA drug discount card program June 1.
HMSA said its new program -- the only one approved locally by Medicare -- will save an average of 20 percent on medications for more than 38,000 members of the 65C Plus health plan.
The card will be their only Medicare-approved drug discount card, HMSA said. No enrollment fee is needed.
Medicare will also offer a prescription drug assistance credit of up to $600 a year for 65C Plus members who meet certain requirements. People with less than $14,445 in annual income and married couples with less than $19,386 in annual income may qualify for the additional help.
Members who are eligible for drug coverage through TRICARE, a federal employee health benefit plan or employer-sponsored prescription drug coverage cannot qualify for the $600 credit.
Other 65C Plus members must switch to the 65C Plus Basic Option plan before they can apply for the $600 credit.
HMSA 65C Plus members who choose not to participate in the drug discount card program may call HMSA or send a letter. They would continue to receive some discounts for prescription drugs through their present HMSA Prescription Drug Discount Program, HMSA said.
Members of 65C Plus Basic Option who don't enroll in the drug discount program won't be eligible for Medicare's $600 credit, HMSA reported.
New membership cards with a Medicare-approved seal will be issued to 65C Plus members who participate in the drug discount card program. The card will be used to receive regular plan benefits or prescription drugs.
The Medicare-approved drug discount program isn't available to 65C Plus HMSA members who also receive Medicaid prescription benefits, but they may continue receiving some discounts for medications through the HMSA Prescription Drug Discount Program.
Weight-loss, over-the-counter, cosmetic and fertility medications are among some medications excluded from the discount card program.
The program will be in effect until Jan. 1, 2006, when a comprehensive Medicare drug benefit will go into effect.
Members of the 65C Plus plan with questions may call HMSA customer service on Oahu at 948-6000. Neighbor islanders may contact their local HMSA office.
Members wanting to apply for transitional assistance of up to $600 may get an application form by calling HMSA Community Sales and Service on Oahu at 948-5555 or, from the neighbor islands, (800) 620-4672 toll-free.
Hearing-impaired members may contact HMSA's text telephone (TTY) at 948-6222 on Oahu.
For Medicare information, call (800) MEDICARE (633-4227) or see www.medicare.gov. (TTY: (877) 486-2048).
HMSA will join Argus Health Systems Inc., a national Medicare-approved drug card sponsor, to provide discounts for eligible Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii. The card will be available to those with Medicare Part A and Part B who aren't enrolled in a 65C Plus or Medicaid plan.