To the editor:

As follow-up to your March 5 article, “Medicare letter sows confusion,” I would like to provide additional information related to the new Medicare drug benefit and educational campaign. The letter and fact sheet sent to people with Medicare provide a clear and concise description of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and refer people with questions to our 1-800-MEDICARE line.

Seniors have a lot of questions about Medicare — and this department is committed to providing clear and accurate answers. Since President Bush signed the law, our 1-800-MEDICARE line has averaged between 30,000 to 40,000 calls a day. And this year, we expect to get 12.8 million calls. Millions more will seek information through our Web site, www.Medicare.gov, or their health care provider.

Building on these efforts, we developed a multifaceted nationwide education campaign, including a 30-second television advertisement.

Our outreach includes an educational fact sheet that accompanies Secretary Thompson’s letter, information provided through our Web site, the launch of a Spanish-language print and radio campaign, outreach through state health insurance assistance programs and local organizations, and town hall meetings across the country.

Our educational effort will help people with Medicare understand the choices they will have beginning in June when discount drug cards become available and continuing to 2006 when the new drug benefit is in place.

Dennis Smith,

acting administrator,

Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid Services,

U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services,

Washington, D.C.