The Medicare drug discount card is available to people enrolled in Medicare, but not everyone on Medicare is eligible.
If you are in a state Medicaid program that provides drug coverage, you can't get a Medicare drug discount card.

Look for government-approved Medicare drug discount cards.
The cards are offered by private companies but must be approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and display the "Medicare Rx Approved" symbol.

For a list of approved cards and other information about the program go to the Medicare Web site, www.medicare.gov or call toll-free, 800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2408.

This government hotline is often busy, so you may have to keep trying (the best time to call is Thursday through Sunday from 6 pm to 6 am Eastern time). AARP also has helpful information at www.aarp.org/legislative/prescriptiondrugs/rxcard/.

Under federal law, the annual fee for Medicare drug discount cards can't be more than $30.
Some companies charge a lower fee or nothing at all for the card. Once a card is purchased, the annual fee can't be refunded.

If you get an uninvited call, email, or knock at your door to sell you a card, it's a scam.
Under the program, companies can advertise their cards by mail, television, radio, and newspapers or other print media. But they are not allowed to call, send emails, or come to your home to sign you up for their cards unless you asked them to.

Don't be fooled by sales materials that look like they're from the government.
Though this is a government-sponsored program, it is private companies, not the government, that offer the cards. Con artists often try to impress people by making their sales materials look like they come from an official government agency.

Guard your personal information carefully.
Identity thieves posing as drug discount card companies may try to steal it to use for their own illegal purposes. Only give your Social Security number, credit card or bank account number, or Medicare number if you are sure that a company offering a Medicare-related product or service is legitimate.

Be aware that not all Medicare discount drug cards are the same.
Prices for specific drugs vary widely from card to card, and some cards are only honored at certain pharmacies. Which card best fits your needs depends on what prescriptions you take and what pharmacies you use.

If you have drug coverage through your current or former employer, you may find that Medicare drug discount cards don't offer greater savings. You may also find better prices simply by shopping around, without using a card.

You don't have to get a Medicare drug discount card.
This program is voluntary; if someone says you have to sign up for a card, it's a scam.

The Medicare drug discount card program is temporary.
The cards will only be used until January 1, 2006, when the federal government will provide a new drug benefit as part of Medicare.  The full drug benefit will be rolled out starting in November of 2005.

Low-income people can get additional Medicare drug benefits.
If your income is less than $12,569 for a single person or $16,862 for a married couple, you're entitled to a Medicare drug discount card for free and you may get up to $600 a year in 2004 and 2005 to help pay for your prescriptions. Information is available at the Medicare Web site or through the toll-free number.

Report suspected drug discount card scams.
Call the Office of Inspector General at HHS toll-free, 800-447-8477, TTY 800-337-4950 (note that information about the Medicare drug discount card program is not available at this number).

You can also report Medicare-related fraud by sending an email to HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov or writing to Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: Hotline, 330 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201.

This content is courtesy of the National Consumers League.