Washington, DC  -  Beginning this week Third District seniors who qualify for Medicare will now have the option of enrolling in the new Medicare-endorsed Prescription Drug Discount Card program, Congressman Mike Rogers said today. The benefit is 100% voluntary, Rogers added, and seniors who are happy with their current coverage should not be affected.

“Recent improvements to Medicare should help local seniors save money on their prescriptions, and strengthen our rural hospitals and clinics,” Rogers said. “While not perfect, the new law helps strengthen Medicare for the long term and is a good first start in improving the quality of life for many of our seniors.”

Third District seniors should be able to choose from up to 30 different cards, Rogers said, and depending on their individual needs seniors should choose carefully the plan that is best for them. Important new benefits should soon be added to Medicare as well. “Every senior who qualifies for Medicare will soon be offered a free ‘welcome to Medicare’ physical, and should also see new preventative features like diabetes screening,” he said.

Rogers said seniors interested in enrolling in a Medicare-endorsed Prescription Drug Discount Card, which will be accepted at local pharmacies beginning June 1, should talk with their local doctor or pharmacist or call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information.  Seniors can also compare drug discounts at www.medicare.gov, and check to see which cards are accepted at their local pharmacy.

“I am pleased Congress has finally followed through on a promise to East Alabama seniors with this important new benefit,” Rogers said. “As with any large new program some glitches may occur, and I encourage seniors to let me know about these issues as soon as possible so I may work to solve them as soon as I can.”