MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Chris Ward
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 12-054
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0Sept. 21,\u00a02012<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>As of Sept. 8, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service <\/strong>is officially the first retailer to accept the Medagate Over the Counter (OTC) benefits card on a worldwide basis.<\/p>\n Medagate is a card-based program provided by Medicare and Medicaid Services that enables merchants to accept payment at the register for medicine and medical supplies covered by medical insurance plans.<\/p>\n Medagate OTC cards are issued to Medicare and Medicaid members on behalf of insurance providers and are periodically reloaded by Medicare, Medicaid and other health plan companies.<\/p>\n These cards have been issued in ten states with more states expected to participate in 2013.<\/p>\n Cardholders can simply bring qualifying items to an Exchange checkout (including Express, Troop Store and Main Store locations) where the Medagate OTC card is swiped to pay for all eligible items.<\/p>\n \u201cThis new capability is just one of the many ways the Exchange strives to serve military veterans,\u201d said the Exchange\u2019s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. \u201cWith the Medagate card, shoppers no longer need to complete health care forms or use off-line systems for claims after purchase.\u201d<\/p>\n Insurance providers, in conjunction with Medagate, produce a catalog that identifies medicine and medical supplies that qualify for reimbursement coverage\/payment.\u00a0<\/p>\n — 30 —<\/p>\n The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or wardchr@aafes.com.<\/p>\n\t