Medicare drug cards

The first phase-in of the Medicare prescription plan authorized by Congress has arrived. Prescription discount cards are available, and individuals who are eligible for them will want to carefully weigh all their options, probably with assistance and information from sources readily available to them.

Perhaps the best option is for a Medicare recipient who takes prescription drugs to visit with his or her pharmacist. This is someone who knows what prescriptions are involved and which plan is likely to serve that person's needs best.

This kind of individual consultation is important, because some prescription cards provide better benefits than others depending on which drugs are involved.

In addition, most organizations that deal with issues of interest to senior citizens are planning programs and workshops about the new prescription cards. Anyone interested in finding out more about these cards should plan to attend a meeting where the cards will be discussed, AARP, for example, is planning a series of informational meetings around the area.

While some senior citizens may feel overwhelmed by the information being put out about the Medicare prescription cards, they should take some comfort in knowing help is available. They can talk to their pharmacists. And they can turn to familiar organizations for information and answers to questions.

Medicare also has a Web site, www.medicare.gov, that can answer many questions about the new card program. Some officials worry that many senior citizens may not have Internet access. Even so, most older Americans have family members or friends who can check out the Web site. This would be a good thing to do if someone you know or love needs more information.