Company supports government’s outreach plan to ensure that all eligible seniors take advantage of new Medicare prescription drug benefit
BENTONVILLE, Ark. – May 2, 2005 – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, the world’s largest retailer, today announced its partnership with The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help increase awareness and assist seniors in enrolling in Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit. Wal-Mart will work with CMS and the Social Security Administration to help identify Medicare beneficiaries, including those with lower incomes, and assist them with education and enrollment in the program as an additional service to customers. Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage will help all seniors pay for needed prescriptions, but it offers significant assistance for lower-income beneficiaries. Over 8 million lower-income individuals are eligible for the government subsidized Medicare prescription drug benefit that takes effect Jan. 1, 2006.
Beginning in July, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to go to a Wal-Mart pharmacy for information and assistance in completing and filing for the lower-income subsidy.
Wal-Mart is committed to reaching out to those who may qualify for the program. This partnership is an important initiative in helping Medicare beneficiaries understand this new benefit and assist them in preparing for the choices and savings they will be able to make with this new coverage.
“These partnerships are critical: seniors place a great deal of trust in the pharmacist, so it is vital that Medicare work with valued partners such as Wal-Mart to assist Medicare beneficiaries so they can make the most of the drug coverage coming available in 2006,” said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company’s securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
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