How Will the New Medicare Drug Benefit Impact African Americans?

ADVISORY FOR: Monday, November 14, 2005

The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged and The Kaiser Family Foundation to Hold Nov. 14 Telephone Briefing for Journalists to Highlight What Seniors Need to Know

In just a few short weeks, Medicare will undergo big changes that will have a major impact on nearly 4 million African American seniors and younger people with permanent disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health coverage. More than four in 10 African Americans with Medicare lack coverage for their prescription drugs for at least part of the year. Many others will need to make decisions about their existing coverage and the new Medicare benefit.

Starting Jan. 1, Medicare will cover outpatient prescription drugs, but many seniors don’t even understand the basics about what the new benefit offers or how it works. Helping African Americans who rely on Medicare to understand how this program will work is critical to ensuring they make good decisions about this coverage. Why is this important for African Americans?

African Americans suffer more from certain illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension, than their white counterparts. Medicare’s drug coverage can help these people afford the drugs they need to manage these diseases.

Compounding these health problems, African Americans on Medicare are far more likely than whites to have low incomes. In fact, six in 10 African American beneficiaries have incomes below 150 percent of poverty, which means they are more likely to qualify for additional help paying for their drugs – but only if they know how to apply for it.

This year, more than one in three African Americans with Medicare rely on state Medicaid programs for their drug coverage. That will end Jan. 1, when Medicare instead will cover their drugs. Understanding this change will help ensure a smooth transition for these beneficiaries.

To raise issues and answer questions about how the Medicare drug benefit affects African American Medicare beneficiaries and their families, the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged and the Kaiser Family Foundation will hold a conference call for journalists on Monday, Nov. 14, 2005 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

Moderated by Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, the discussion will focus on the way this change affects African American Medicare beneficiaries, highlight ongoing community efforts to help beneficiaries understand their options, and offer some practical advice for those making decisions about this new Medicare coverage. Panelists include Daniel R. Wilson of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, and Michelle Kitchman Strollo and Linda Elam of the Kaiser Family Foundation. The panel will also take questions from the participants.

To participate in the conference e-mail Sarah Carkhuff at scarkhuff@kff.org or by calling (202) 347-5270. For more information e-mail Craig Palosky at cpalosky@kff.org or by calling (202) 347-5270.

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