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Prescription Assistance What if you live on a limited income and resources? Almost 1 in 3 people with Medicare will qualify for extra help that will cover between 85% and 100% of the costs of their drugs. Most people who are eligible for this extra help will pay no premiums, no deductibles, and no more than $5 for each prescription. The amount of extra help will be based on income and resources (including savings and stocks, but not counting your home or car.) You may qualify if your resources are less than $11,500 if you are single, or $23,000 if you are married and living with your spouse. These income limits do not take in consideration that you may be taking several expensive medications. What if you don't qualify for Medicare's assistance programs? There are several prescription assistance programs available to those people whose income may be slightly above the Medicare limits. State prescription assistance programs have slightly higher income limits, for example. Also private programs are offered by some pharmaceutical companies. They too have generally higher income limits. Some companies will offer assistance to couples with incomes of up to $40,000, depending on the number of dependants in your household. What States offer a Prescription Assistance program? There are 21 States that offer programs to give their residents assistance with their medications. Here is a list What if I take a number of name brand prescriptions? Many of the Part D carriers offer some break during the "donut hole" for those that take generic drugs. However, for those that cannot take the generic or have been prescribed a newer drug they may be stuck paying full price for their prescriptions. At this time, you may be able to go to each pharmaceutical company and ask for some assistance for each name brand name drug. How does this work with my current Part D drug plan? Once you have made it up to the "donut hole" and start having to pay for your drugs "out-of-pocket." You can send a form to the maker of your prescription and ask for assistance. They will then notify your Part D carrier to tell them that you are applying for assistance. This process takes about 4 to 6 weeks. You may need to start the process about 2 months before you hit the "donut hole". What is
the Partnership for Prescription Assistance? The
Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s
pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient
advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients
who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the
public or private program that’s right for them. Many will get them
free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient
assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible.
Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a
single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient
assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by
pharmaceutical companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription
Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW
(1-888-477-2669) or you can find them online at www.pparx.org How do I find the maker of my drugs? You can go to this website www.needymeds.com I know the maker of my drugs and I want to get assistance? Here is a list of companies and the form you will need to have your doctor complete before you mail to the company.
How do I get more information on the Prescription Assistance programs? If you fall under the Medciare definition of low-income you can get more information by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. For the State of North Carolina's Prescription Assistance Program call 1-888-488-6279 Partnership for Prescription Assistance call 1-888-477-2669
Senior Care Concepts, 2008 |
