CMS launches campaign to enroll more low-income Medicare beneficiaries in prescription drug assistance program

Jun 2 2008

CMS launched a $12 million outreach campaign last month to encourage low-income Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in the prescription drug assistance program, CongressDaily reports.

The outreach campaign, which runs through July, will involve a concentrated push in specific zip codes and an evaluation of what tactics are best for reaching the low-income population.

State health insurance programs will receive $7.5 million in federal funds to conduct the majority of the outreach.

CMS will analyze the effectiveness of mailers, recorded phone messages and cold calls from experts, as well as print and radio advertisements.

CMS began planning the campaign six months ago, and CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said it will allow low-income individuals to enroll in the Medicare drug benefit at any time.

Meanwhile, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said legislation he is working on that would delay a 10.6% cut to Medicare physician payments also will include a provision to change the asset limit for the drug benefit's low-income subsidy program (Edney, CongressDaily, 5/30).