Local agencies offer advice on new drug cards

Seniors in the Mahoning Valley can begin enrolling Monday.
Local senior citizen advocates urge seniors to seek advice before buying any of the new Medicare-approved prescription discount drug card plans.
On Monday, under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, seniors on Medicare can begin choosing a Medicare-approved prescription discount drug card plan.
Signed into law in December, the act makes major changes in Medicare, most of which will take place in 2006.
The prescription drug discount option, however, is being offered beginning Monday, said Chris Bierdemen, admissions/marketing director of Shepherd of the Valley-Boardman and Shepherd's Medicare prescription discount card community liaison.
"We are urging seniors to compare, look carefully at the details, and talk to their children, physicians, or their current health-care provider before deciding whether or not to get a Medicare prescription discount drug card," said Bierdemen.
Unwise decisions
Debbie Zador, coordinator of Warren SCOPE's prescription assistance program for seniors, said senior citizens have sometimes been deceived into making unwise decisions about health care when presented with choices.
"We believe it is important for seniors to compare what their current prescription medications cost with what they will cost under any new discount drug program before they make any changes," Zador said.
SCOPE and Shepherd of the Valley have produced a brochure, and are also offering community talks to help seniors become informed about the new Medicare prescription drug plan.
Times, dates
Seniors can check with Shepherd of the Valley and SCOPE for times and dates of the seminars.
SOV and SCOPE said the main beneficiaries of the new Medicare prescription discount drug program are seniors who do not have outpatient prescription drug insurance from any other source.
The U.S. Census Bureau says there are 97,300 people 65 and older in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. About one out of every six residents in the Mahoning Valley is 65 or older.