Drug-discount program's effectiveness hindered by lack of use

MANAGED CARE December 2002. ©MediMedia USA

California offers a prescription drug discount program that allows Medicare beneficiaries to get discounts just by showing their Medicare cards to pharmacists. Unfortunately, according to a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a majority of those eligible — both those with and without drug coverage — have never heard of the program.

The findings result from data collected from 2,380 noninstitutionalized seniors conducted between May 15, 2001 and Aug. 23, 2001.

Percent of California seniors who ever heard of drug discount program

SOURCE: KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION, CALIFORNIA SENIORS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS