HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, provides this list for informational purposes only. It does not endorse any particular program, and cannot vouch for the effectiveness of any program.
California Discount Prescription Drug Program Under the provisions of California Senate Bill 393, California Medicare beneficiaries are able to use any Medi-Cal participating pharmacy to purchase their drugs at the state discounted Medi-Cal rate, plus a 15 cent processing fee for each prescription. People must present their Medicare card and their prescription to receive this discount. As Medi-Cal reimbursement amounts vary depending on the drug, the amount of savings also varies. Anyone with a Medicare card is eligible for discounts.
Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid Program): Medi-Cal provides “medically necessary” health coverage for people with low incomes and limited assets ($966/month with $2,000 of assets for an individual; $1,298/month with $3,000 assets for a couple). People on Medi-Cal receive full prescription drug coverage for all Medi-Cal covered drugs. Prescription drugs not normally covered by Medi-Cal (namely brand-name drugs) may be covered when a physician submits a special request, called a Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) form.
Department of Veteran Affairs: People who have served in the military may be eligible for Veteran Affairs health benefits and services, including prescription drug coverage. For coverage, a drug must be medically necessary and prescribed by a VA physician. A $7.00 co-payment applies for prescriptions treating non-service connected conditions. For information, call 877-222-VETS(8387) or see the Department of VA’s website at www.va.gov/vbs/health .
MedicineAssist Program: Based in Bennington, Vermont, this program allows people to buy their prescription drugs through Canadian pharmacies. People must have their doctor fill out and fax a form to Pharmacy A or Pharmacy B. These forms are available on the United Health Alliance website (www.unitedhealthalliance.com) or by calling UHA toll-free at 866-262-2174. The pharmacy then ships the drugs to the physician’s office for the patient to pick up. The prescriptions are charged to the patient’s credit card.
NOTE: Availability of Canadian pharmacy programs such as these may be limited in the near future.
Peoples Prescription Plan: This membership plan (costing $7.95/month) allows people to access the lowest price available for their prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. On the average, people save about $35 per month on brand name and generic drugs. Patients must present their Peoples Prescription Plan card to the participating pharmacist. Cards can also be used to order prescriptions online at www.drugstore.com. Mail order prescription service is also available by calling 800-667-6914 (M-F, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time). For more information call 800-566-0003 or visit their website at www.peoplesrxcard.com.
PhRMA (Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs): This directory alphabetically lists the pharmaceutical companies that provide free drugs to physicians whose patients can not otherwise afford them. People interested in applying for drug assistance should talk to their doctor. Call 800-762-4636 for additional information or visit their website at www.phrma.org .
County Medically Indigent Services Program (CMSP): This program provides basic medical services including prescription drug coverage to residents who do not qualify for other assistance programs, such as Medi-Cal. A person may be eligible for CMSP benefits regardless of immigration status if he/she has limited income (less than $1,432/month for an individual or $1,936/month for a couple in 2002). For more information on this program call (909) 486-5375 in Riverside County and (909) 387-7777 in San Bernardino County.
Pharmaceutical Company Programs Featuring Discounted Drugs Include:
GlaxoSmithKline(GSK): Offers the “Orange Card” for people on Medicare whose annual incomes are below $26,000 for an individual and $35,000 for a couple, and who have no other prescription drug coverage. For more information call GSK at 888-672-6436.
Merck-Medco: Offers its own drug discount program through mail order and participating pharmacies to anyone over the age of 18. It costs $25 a year ($40 for families) and has no income limit. For more information call 877-733-6765 or visit their website at www.yourrxplan.com.
Novartis: The “Novartis CareCard” is a free drug discount program advertising up to 40% off all Novartis drugs. This is for people on Medicare whose annual incomes are below $26,000 for an individual and $35,000 for a couple, and who have no prescription drug coverage. For more information call Novartis at 866-974-2273 or visit their website at www.novartis.com/carecard/.
Pfizer Share Card: This new program allows Medicare beneficiaries whose annual income is $18,000 as an individual or less than $24,000 per couple to purchase a 30 day supply of a Pfizer prescription for $15. The card can be used at participating retail pharmacies. For more information call Pfizer at 800-717-6005 or visit their website at www.pfizerforliving.com.
Other Discounts: Many other companies and organizations offer their own discount programs and mail order services. Among them are:
COSTCO Pharmacy: Drug prices at Costco’s pharmacy may often be less than other discount programs. A person does not need to be a Costco member to use the pharmacy. If you are not a member, you must pay with cash or an ATM card, no checks. If you are a member, you may pay with a check.
AARP: Offers discount drugs to members through a mail order service as well as through retail drugstores. One must be 50 to join AARP. For more information on AARP Pharmacy Services, call 800-289-6031 or visit their website at www.aarppharmacy.com.
As drug coverage is in high demand, HICAP also wants to remind people with retiree coverage that if they are thinking about buying new health insurance, they should be very careful about dropping their existing coverage. Many retirement plans offer more comprehensive drug coverage than that found in Medicare HMOs or Medigap policies. If a person does disenroll from their retirement plan, they may not be able to rejoin. If you live in Riverside County and would like to speak with a HICAP counselor about your health insurance and/or drug coverage, please call 800-434-0222 or 909-697-6565.
If you would like to receive Meeting the Challenges for a full year, send a suggested donation of ten dollars along with your mailing address to: Meeting the Challenges, c/o Partnership, 6296 Rivercrest Drive, Suite K, Riverside, CA 92507.
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