Acquiring prescription drugs at an affordable price is a challenge for many senior adults. The following programs may be of assistance to individuals who qualify.

Medicare Part D

This is a new Medicare benefit that started in January 2006 to provide prescription drug coverage.   Some basics for Medicare part D:

• The benefit is available to any Medicare beneficiary who has Medicare Part A or Part B or both

• There will be a monthly premium, an annual deductible & co-payments.  The costs depend on which Plan   you choose

• Medicare beneficiaries with limited income & assets may be eligible for a subsidy (Extra Help) to help pay part or all of the costs.  for details & to apply for Extra Help, go to the following link: http://www.ct.gov/agingservices/cwp/view.asp?Q=413338&A=2510    

• Enrollment is optional.   But if do not sign up when you are first eligible & change your mind later on, you  may have to pay a penalty of higher premium.  However, there are some exceptions to the penalty

• The Annual Enrollment Period is from November 15 to December 31.  Exceptions:   If you first eligible for Medicare, you can enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan within the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period.   Also, you can enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you first become elibgible for low income subsidy (Extra Help).  For more details and application for Extra Help, click on the following link: http://www.ct.gov/agingservices/cwp/view.asp?Q=413338&A=2510

For more information on Medicare Prescription Drug coverage, call CHOICES  at 1-800-994-9422 or click on the following link to the Medicare web site:  www.Medicare.gov .  The Plan Finder in the Medicare web site is a particularly  helpful tool to compare the different Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and to identify a Drug Plan that is appropriate for your own situation.

ConnPACE

ConnPACE helps senior and disabled persons pay for certain prescription drugs, insulin and insulin syringes.  There is an annual enrollment fee of $30 and a co-payment of up to $16.25 for each prescription

Eligibility guidelines

• Live in CT for at least 6 months  immediately before applying

• Must be at least 65 years old,  or disabled  and receiving Social Security Disability  or Supplemental Security Income.  If disabled, person must be over 18 years of age.

• Adjusted gross income for the previous year plus Social Security (minus Medicare Part B premiums) must be less than $ 23,700 for a single person and $31,900 for a married couple. Sources of   income include Social Security, Supplemental Security and Railroad Retirement income, pensions, wages, interest, dividends, net rental income, veterans’ benefits and other non-taxable income.

• If you have other insurance that covers prescription drugs, you may or may not be eligible.  Call CHOICES at 1-800-994-9422 for details 

• You are in Medicaid (Title 19) spend down

• A New ConnPACE eligibility requirement: You have to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you are eligible for Medicare, & you have to show proof that you have applied for Extra Help

• Acquire a ConnPACE application by calling 1-800-423-5026 or your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-994-9422.   You can also download an application on-line by going to the following link: http://www.connpace.com/

• Questions regarding the application and the documents that need to be submitted can be answered by calling 1-800-423-5026 between 8:30am and 4:30pm. In the Hartford area, call locally 832-9265.

• If the application is complete and a person is eligible, the individual will receive a ConnPACE card in about 45   days. The card is good for one year. If the person is not eligible, an explanation will be send along with the fee refunded. If the application is not complete, a letter will be sent requesting the missing information.

Prescription drug coverage under Medicaid (Title 19) is now under Medicare Part D.  If you have both Medicare & Medicaid (Dual Eligible), you must enroll into a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to get your prescription coverage.  If you are a " dual eligible ", you don't have to pay a premium, deductible or co-payment if you are a resident in Connecticut.  

The changes will not affect those Medicaid beneficiaries who do not have Medicare

Contact the CHOICES program at 1-800-994-9422 for more informatio, or go to the following link for more details:  http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/pdfs/medicaid.pdf

PATIENT ASISTANCE DRUG PROGRAMS

These are special programs by drug companies to help people who cannot afford the cost of their brand name prescription drugs.   These companies have programs to give people prescription medicine free-of-charge or for a very low cost to individuals in need, regardless of age, if you meet the criteria.  If it is hard for you to pay for your drugs, ask your doctor if he or she can help you get assistance from the drug companies.  These are not public benefit programs.  Acceptance is entirely up to the drug company.  These programs do not cover generic drugs.

Who is Eligible?

• Your have no insurance that covers outpatient prescription drugs

• You do not qualify for a government assistance program for prescription drugs (like Medicaid)

• Your income must be within certain income limits

• If you have Medicare Part D, or if you are eligible but decide not to enroll in Part D,   you  may or may not be eligible, depending on the specific program. 

For more information and the application process, click on the following Web site link:  www.needymeds.com

In addition, www.benefitscheckup.org offers a screening opportunity for a wide variety of national prescription drug discount programs.  The screening can be accomplished on your computer and is free.

To receive benefits, a veteran must fill out an application to enroll in the VA health care system. An application may be obtained by calling 1-877-222-8387. The individual must see a doctor at the VA before the prescription will be filled.

For general information about VA pharmacy services, contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000, or click on the following link:  www.va.gov

Other contact points are the VA in Newington (860-666-6951) or West Haven (203-932-5711). Ask for the Eligibility Department.   to access

Please note: There are military retiree benefits under the TRICARE program. Ask the VA eligibility dept about those benefits. Active duty or military retirees may be eligible for benefits under TRICARE.