WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A television ad, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeks to inform the public about the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
The ad begins airing nationwide this week to educate those on Medicare and their families before the prescription drug benefit enrollment begins Nov. 15.
"Almost every American knows a Medicare beneficiary -- we are asking people to talk to beneficiaries, to help them sign up and gain the peace of mind that Medicare will cover the prescription drugs needed to stay healthy," HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said in a statement.
The ad advises everyone who is eligible for Medicare should learn more about the new benefit by calling 1-800-Medicare, or visiting medicare.gov.
"This is the most important new benefit in Medicare in 40 years, as Medicare is moving from simply paying the bills when something goes wrong to helping you pay for the drugs you need to head off the costly complications of diseases," said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mark B. McClellan.
