The Medicare Rights Center's "Prescription Drug Helpline for Professionals" provides guidance to professionals helping older adults and individuals with disabilities with the Medicare prescription drug benefit—for example, assisting patients with enrolling in a private drug plan and resolving problems with drug coverage once enrolled in a plan.

"A Medicare drug benefit available through dozens of different private drug plans confounds both people with Medicare and the professionals [whom] they turn to for advice," commented Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer service organization. "Professionals need help to help others with this convoluted program, and our trained counselors are well-equipped to provide the information and support they need."

The helpline team provides free and expert information regarding the new drug benefit. The Prescription Drug Helpline for Professionals is available Monday through Friday from 10 ^AM to 6 ^PM (EST) by calling 877-RxHELP-0 (877-794-3570).