A former federal official who’s now retired and living in northern Iowa is offering some advice to other seniors who’re trying to figure out which prescription drug discount card to sign up for. Today’s the start date on the sign-up, but there are 30 companies offering the discount cards to seniors on Medicaid. Pete Conroy of Mason City says seniors should first check to see which prescription drugs they take, then figure out which companies offer discounts on those drugs. Conroy says “this calls for responsibility on the part of the elderly.” Conroy suggests talking with someone you can trust about your discount card options. Conroy says it’s always a good idea to check with your pharmacist, as he says your pharmacist often knows more specifics than your doctor. The new cards, which can cost seniors up to 30 bucks, will become active June 1st, and seniors cannot change cards until the end of the year. However, the companies that offer the cards can change their discount policies weekly. Conroy was once an aide to Senator Charles Grassley — Grassley was an author of the prescription drug benefit bill. Conroy was also the executive director of the Federal Council on Aging before his retirement in 1989.
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