WebMD Health Launches Medicare Rx Benefits Resource Center Comprehensive resource that provides tools and information from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Council on Aging and Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation NEW YORK, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WebMD Health, the leading source of online health information for consumers and physicians, today announced the launch of its Medicare Rx Benefits Resource Center (http://www.webmdmedicare.com/). This comprehensive resource will help Medicare eligible seniors and their caregivers better understand Medicare and the new prescription drug benefits and access the Prescription Drug and Other Assistance tool on http://www.medicare.gov/ to check their eligibility for available sources of assistance and even select a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card. The WebMD Medicare center was developed in educational collaboration with The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) and provides access to tools from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and features a special, free WebMD Medicare Bulletin, an electronic newsletter that contains important and timely updates. "More Americans turn to WebMD for health information than any other source, so providing a comprehensive resource for the new Medicare benefits, in partnership with CMS and other highly regarded organizations including NCOA and the Kaiser Family Foundation, is an important expansion of our core offerings," said Wayne Gattinella, President, WebMD Health. "Our Medicare Rx Benefits Resource Center is designed to provide eligible seniors with the tools needed to make informed choices about their Medicare benefits on an ongoing basis." "CMS is making it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to learn more about the new Medicare law and the Internet is an increasingly important source of health information," said Mark McClellan, M.D., PH.D, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "CMS is pleased to work closely with WebMD to help Medicare beneficiaries and their family members take advantage of the simple steps to get a Medicare-approved drug discount card." In addition, WebMD Health will offer its award-winning health content, community and interactive tools, allowing seniors, people with disabilities and their families to: * Determine if they are eligible to enroll in the Medicare Discount Card plan; * Evaluate the Medicare-approved discount card programs based on the individual's geographic location * Access interactive tools to compare prescription prices and different discount card programs; * Better understand other drug assistance programs for which they are eligible; * Communicate with experts and other seniors about Medicare and prescription-related issues; * Obtain information about medical conditions, medications and other health related issues; "NCOA is pleased to be working with WebMD so that seniors and their caregivers can access reliable, actionable and easily understood information about the new Medicare program," said James Firman, NCOA President and CEO. In order to further help Medicare beneficiaries understand the new benefits changes scheduled to become effective in 2006, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has provided an interactive tool that allows users to enter their prescription drug costs to determine what they will pay starting in 2006 under the new Medicare prescription drug law. ABOUT WEBMD WebMD Corporation provides services that help physicians, consumers, providers and health plans navigate the complexity of the healthcare system. Our products and services streamline administrative and clinical processes, promote efficiency and reduce costs by facilitating information exchange, communication and electronic transactions between healthcare participants. WebMD Health is a leading provider of online information, educational services and communities for physicians and consumers. WebMD Practice Services is a leading provider of physician practice management software and related services. WebMD Envoy is a leader in payer and healthcare provider transaction processing and reimbursement cycle management services. Porex is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of proprietary porous plastic products and components used in healthcare, industrial and consumer applications. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on WebMD's current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in our SEC filings. DATASOURCE: WebMD CONTACT: Jennifer Meyer, WebMD Corporation, +1-212-624-3912, Web site: http://www.webmdmedicare.com/ http://www.medicare.gov/

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