PRESCRIPTION EXPENSE ASSISTANCE - CONNECTICUT

CONNPACE

ConnPACE is a state program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS),  http://www.connpace.com/. for low income adults ages 65+, or ages 18 to 65 with a disability, who are NOT eligible for Medicare, ConnPACE subsidizes most prescription drugs and insulin and syringe costs for low income elderly or disabled individuals. ConnPACE wraps around Medicare Part D; people enrolled in ConnPACE are required to enroll in a Medicare D Prescription Drug Plan. It is most advantageous to choose a benchmark Medicare D Plan because then ConnPACE will pay Medicare Part D premiums, and cover prescriptions through deductibles and coverage gaps. To download an application go to: http://www.connpace.com/pubs/index.htm.

MEDICAID AND MEDICAID LIA 

The State of Connecticut provides health insurance, which includes coverage for low income adults (Now HUSKY C & D),  Call the DSS office nearest you or the HUSKY Infoline,http://www.huskyhealth.com/hh/site/default.asp , to see if you qualify for the program or download an application from the DSS website, http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/PDFs/w-1f.pdf.

MEDICARE PART D

Medicare Part D, also known as Medicare Rx, is Medicare’s prescription drug program. It covers some of the cost of prescription drugs and is offered through private companies. The program is voluntary, although there is a penalty for late enrollment for eligible people who do not have prescription coverage that is as good as or better than Medicare D. For more information, visit Medicare’s website http://www.medicare.gov or call your local Area Agency on Aging’s CHOICES program at 1-800-994-9422 (calls route to nearest AAA office).

LOW INCOME SUBSIDY (LIS) FOR MEDICARE PART D

Medicare Part D has premiums, deductibles and co-pays that vary, according to the plan that is selected. However, people with limited income and assets may be eligible for the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) which would pay all or part of these expenses. The Social Security Administration determines LIS eligibility. For further information, call Social Security (800-772-1213) or see the Social Security fact sheet on Extra Help at http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/index.htm. To read more about the Low Income Subsidy, see the Center for Medicare Advocacy's website at http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/InfoByTopic/PartDandPrescDrugs/PartDMain.htm#LIS.

CONNECTICUT AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CADAP)

State program pays for antiretroviral drugs to prolong the life of people with AIDS, or HIV infection. The program also pays health insurance premiums for people who have insurance and who are eligible for CADAP. To be eligible for the program, an individual must have a physician certified diagnosis of HIV infection, HIV disease or AIDS, must not be a recipient of Medicaid, and must have net countable income within 400% FPL; there is no asset limit. Immigrants with or without a green card may be eligible. The applicant must apply for HUSKY C & D (Formerly Medicaid or Medicaid LIA) within two weeks of approval for CADAP. To apply visit the DSS website, http://www.ct.gov/dss/lib/dss/PDFs/CADAPapp03.pdf, or call DSS, Connecticut AIDS Drug Assistance Program (see CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE; search by Agency/Program CADAP).

FREE OR LOW COST PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS
(also called patient assistance programs)

Some drug companies have special programs to help people who cannot afford the cost of their brand name prescription drugs. These programs provide prescription medicine free or for a very low cost. Call the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, 888-4PPA-NOW, (888-477-2669) or visit the PPARx website, https://www.pparx.org, to see if you might be eligible for free medicine. Most programs require that you have no insurance, have low income, and are ineligible for a government assistance program, like Medicaid, that pays for prescription drugs.

LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION ON FREE OR LOW COST PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• http://www.needymeds.com - Needymeds tracks pharmaceutical manufacturers that have special programs to assist people who can’t afford to buy the drugs they need.
• http://www.rxassist.org/ - RxAssist lists all pharmaceutical assistance programs, eligibility criteria, and application process. It also includes some application forms that can be downloaded from the website.
• http://www.rxoutreach.com - Rx Outreach offers generic prescription medicines at discount prices for individuals and families with income up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.

DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS

Discounted Generics at "Big Box" Stores - Big store pharmacies (Costco, Target, Walmart, Stop & Shop, and others) offer discounts on certain generic drugs. Discounts can be as low as $10 for a 90 day supply. Not all generics are covered; call store for further information.

FamilyWize Partnership - FamilyWize is a nationwide program that offers a free prescription drug discount card for anyone who wants one. The discount card provides discounts for prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. The card can be obtained and used by anyone for all prescriptions for all family members. There is no income limit, age or other eligibility requirement, and there is no registration required. Cards can be downloaded and printed from the website, http://www.familywize.org, or obtained from any Stop & Shop or Kmart store, some pharmacies and other locations. After obtaining a card, consumers must present the card with a valid prescription to their pharmacist to obtain a discount.

Discount Prescription Programs at Hospitals - Some hospitals in Connecticut have special discount programs which include a prescription drug discount. These hospitals are Greenwich Hospital (Generations Program); Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven (Carecard Program); and Midstate Medical Center (Prestige Club).

ONLINE/MAIL-ORDER DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION SERVICES

The website WebMD offers advice on obtaining prescription drugs through the Internet or postal service (go to http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/beyond-the-pharmacy-online-and-mail-order-prescription-drugs).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers tips for consumers thinking about buying medicines and medical products online. Call the FDA at (888)463-6332 or go to http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/BuyingMedicinesOvertheInternet/default.htm.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website lists Internet pharmacies that meet its safety and consumer rights criteria. Go to http://www.nabp.net/programs/consumer-protection/buying-medicine-online/.

PharmacyChecker.com evaluates online pharmacies and compares their prices.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VETERANS

Active Duty and Retired Military Personnel - The Department of Defense provides pharmacy benefits for military personnel through the TRICARE pharmacy program, http://www.tricare.mil/.

Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers veterans a prescription benefit. To be eligible, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from the military, must enroll with the VA, and must be seen by a VA doctor. For more information call 877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387) or visit the VA website http://www.myhealth.va.gov/.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: Prescription Expense Assistance

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PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST MODIFIED: January2011