brought to you by Mary
Shomon
May 19, 2004 -- Abbott Laboratories has expanded its Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) to provide cost savings
on prescription medication for low-income seniors and other eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Under the
expanded program, Abbott is seeking to partner with drug-discount cards approved by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium tablets, USP) for $5
per monthly prescription for the most needy seniors. Synthroid is currently the second most prescribed
drug in the United States and is used by more than 10 million patients. The program also seeks to offer
other Abbott medications for chronic conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, epilepsy
and bipolar disorder, for $12 per monthly prescription for seniors and Medicare beneficiaries with low
incomes through participating cards.
Abbott's original MAP program was introduced in January 2003, offering its rheumatoid arthritis drug
for free to Medicare-eligible patients until a meaningful Medicare drug benefit was enacted. MAP was
commended by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, members of Congress, and physicians
nationwide. Since its inception, the Abbott MAP program provided nearly $80 million in prescription
savings, while benefiting thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who lack prescription drug coverage.
"Until the new Medicare prescription benefit takes effect in 2006, many seniors are looking for the best
ways to save money on the drugs they need to stay healthy and maintain their quality of life," said Jim
Firman, President and CEO of the National Council on the Aging (NCOA). "Low-income seniors can
obtain significant savings by using Abbott's MAP program in combination with the $600 credit available
through the new Medicare approved discount cards."
More than 7.4 million Medicare enrollees are expected to participate in the drug discount card programs,
according to CMS. Of those, 4.7 million are expected to have annual incomes under 135 percent of the
federal poverty level (FPL). These enrollees are eligible for transitional assistance until the Medicare
prescription drug benefit takes full effect on January 1, 2006. Enrollees who have exhausted their $600
annual credit will be eligible for the $5 and $12 monthly prescriptions offered through Abbott's expanded
MAP and administered through participating CMS-endorsed discount cards. Seniors and other Medicare
beneficiaries who have income that exceed FPL requirements but who use the CMS-approved discount
cards, will also receive discounts on many of Abbott's chronic care medications.
In addition to providing its rheumatoid arthritis drug at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries without a
prescription drug benefit, the expansion of the Abbott MAP program has been extended to cover other
chronic diseases. Abbott medications will also be available at a discounted retail price for those who
exceed the 135 percent FPL and who use a CMS-approved card for diseases including high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, infectious disease, and HIV/AIDS.
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Is an undiagnosed or improperly treated thyroid condition causing you to pack on the pounds, or dooming you to diet failure? On September 1, 2004, you'll have the answer, with the publication of The Thyroid Diet.
It's the first book written to help thyroid patients -- and those who don't even know they have a thyroid problem yet -- to effectively lose weight. The book features 400 pages of information, including:
- Diet Planning Worksheets
- Eating Plans
- Food Lists
- Gourmet Recipes
- Information on Safe & Helpful Supplements and Herbs
Pre-order your copy from Amazon.com now, for only $10.47, a 30% saving of $4.48 over the $14.95 list price. You can also read the Table of Contents>, and the book's Introduction online now.
The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss, by Mary J. Shomon
Coming Sept. 1, 2004 from HarperCollins, 400 pages, ISBN: 0-06-052444-8
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