According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Seniors fill an average of 23 prescriptions annually. The average annual cost of these prescriptions rose from $1,610 in 2000 to $2,322 in 2003. Average out of pocket prescription spending for Seniors grew from $644 to $999 during that same period — that’s a substantial 55% increase in drug expenses – especially for cost-conscious Seniors on Social Security. Even more daunting, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the cost is expected to rise to $3,000 by 2006 – an 86% increase over 2000’s prices.

Presently, Seniors can apply for relief through a Medicare-approved drug discount card, but this is only in effect through the end of 2005, when the program completely terminates. Even if the program was not slated to discontinue, the federal government survey shows consumers can save only 10 to 17 percent off national retail brand-name prices using this type of card. UA’s Partners card, however, can improve on that and save Seniors an average of

23 percent on their prescription brand-name medications. In fact, independent discount drug programs are so important that the Fall 2004 issue of Kiplinger’s issue of Retirement Planning magazine specifically recommends seniors “don’t drop your other cards”.

The best help you can offer is to teach your Seniors to shop smart for a personal UA Agent who can help Seniors access the vast array of savings within UA’s “Service Package.” According to Vernon L. Williams, author of 425 Ways to Stretch Your Dollar, Seniors can save significantly by ordering generic medications. Your customers need not fear that generics aren’t as “good” as brand name drugs. According to The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, a generic drug is a copy that is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, administration, quality, performance, and intended use. Generics cost less because these manufacturers don’t have the investment costs of the drug’s original developer. Once the original manufacturer’s patent runs out, other manufacturers can sell the same product, but for far, far less. Not all drugs have generic equivalents available, but your “Service Package” responsibility is to help your customers understand how to utilize generics whenever possible. Are you educating them on this important point? Of course, each person should only choose any medication, generic or otherwise, after first consulting their physician.

Seniors save even more if they order maintenance medications by mail. According to Williams, mail order generally can save customers 10 to 15 percent. Seniors already attempt to access Canadian drugs by mail, so many are familiar with this concept. Unfortunately, Canadian pharmacies’ supplies from the US have recently been reduced dramatically and ordering Canadian drugs is prohibited by the federal government. Why should Seniors risk breaking the law when they can work with one of the best programs available in our own country?

UA Partners’ Mail Order program saves our customers an average of nearly 35 percent nationwide! Partners’ Mail Order program also lets your customer order larger quantities, saving trips to the pharmacy and even more money. Generics by Partners’ Mail Order may save much more! You can easily help the senior understand how to refill maintenance prescriptions through the Partners’ simple, automated refill mail order service.

Remind Seniors about other UA “Service Package” advantages too, such as the Part A Deductible Waiver program. Explain how using it can provide savings to premium costs, creating a win/win for UA, the hospital and themselves. The MedAlert Kits are also a great addition to your “Service Package.” The Kits help protect Seniors in emergency situations and are an excellent way to demonstrate to your customers that you have their best interest at heart.

Encourage your Seniors to stay informed about Medicare and Medicare changes too. Suggest they visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.org and print the free informational brochures that are available. The Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card Tip Sheet will help both you and your customers compare various cards and can help lower income Seniors determine if they qualify for a $600 credit. If they already have one of the government’s temporary discount cards, they can certainly use it, but adding UA Partners is a more permanent solution that will greatly enhance their drug saving power at a low cost.

UA Partners also offers savings on eye glasses, false teeth, and hearing aids. Items which are all expensive and critical to our Seniors’ well-being. As an example, most seniors use eyeglasses, but how many are aware of the substantial savings through UA’s Partners program? Be sure to show them because saving them money on one item can afford them many other benefits too. They also get discounts on nutritional supplements and have access to a 24-hour Nurse Helpline. However, Partners for our Med-Supp customers entails more than just product discounts; they also benefit from “Automatic” Claims Filing® (ACF). With ACF, Seniors’ Part B Medicare claims are automatically filed with UA, alleviating both paperwork and lost or misfiled claims. With all of these advantages, how could they not buy Partners?

Fulfilling your responsibilities to your Senior customers is about going that extra mile, utilizing all of UA’s savings, discount programs and your personal services. Just being there to provide assistance and guidance when they need it, especially in getting customers set up to take advantage of all savings programs we have to offer, takes you to provide that help – AS A SAVINGS ADVOCATE, A CUSTOMER’S OWN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AS A PART OF UA’S “SERVICE PACKAGE”. Helping customers reduce many cost exposures is what you and UA service are all about.