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Prescription Drugs
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The Prescription Drug Program Medicare-Approved Prescription Drug Discount Card Program On December 8, 2003, President George W. Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. This act immediately provided Medicare beneficiaries with discounts on their prescription drugs and will provide comprehensive Medicare prescription drug coverage effective January 1, 2006. Starting in the spring of 2004, as an important first step towards comprehensive Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare beneficiaries were able to enroll in a Medicare-approved discount card program (The Discount Card) that will offer discounts on their prescription drugs. |
| 1. What is the Prescription Drug Program? The Prescription Drug Program (PDP) is a privately funded program run by pharmaceutical companies that can help you pay for your prescription drugs costs. 2. How much do I pay? You pay the first $35 of your prescription costs each month and PDP pays the rest. 3. How can I get PDP? You may get PDP benefits if you: |
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| NOTE: The QMB and SLMB programs pay for your Medicare premiums. You can apply for them at your county human services agency. |
4. You may NOT get PDP if you: | ||||||||||||||
do not count as insurance. | ||||||||||||||
| 5. Are all prescriptions covered? Many prescription drugs are covered, but not all. PDP only covers medications included in a contract between the state and drug companies. Ask your pharmacist if your prescriptions are covered. 6. What are the PDP income limits? If your income is less than the PDP income limits listed below, you may be eligible for PDP. | ||||||||||||||
NOTE: Social Security gross income is your benefit before Medicare premiums or other amounts are deducted. | ||||||||||||||
7. What are the PDP asset limits? Assets are things you own, such as cash, savings, and non-homestead property. If you live alone, you may own up to $10,000 in assets. A married couple or family may own $18,000 in assets. Some assets that do not count are: |
assets also count, even if your spouse does not want to apply for the PDP. |
| 8. What else do I have to do? If eligible for PDP, you must register with RxConnect through the Senior LinkAge line to see if you are eligible for free drugs from manufacturers. You need to do that within 30 days of becoming eligible for PDP. |
| If you qualify for free drugs, you cannot get them through PDP. PDP will only pay for drugs not covered by a manufacturer’s program. The phone number for the Senior LinkAge is printed below. When you call, you will need information about your annual income and assets, and about the prescriptions you take. |
| 9. How do I apply? You can apply for PDP at your county human services agency. Apply as soon as possible. If you are eligible, your PDP benefits will begin the month after your eligibility is approved. |
| 10. How do I get more information? |
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| Discount Prescription Medication Resources Minnesota's Prescription Drug Program (PDP), call the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433 or your county human service agency (Hennepin County residents call 612-348-4500). This program was formerly known as the Senior Drug Program. There are income and asset guidelines, depending on family size, that you must meet. If you qualify, you pay a $35 monthly deductible that covers most of your prescription drugs - the program pays the rest. As of 7/02, disabled residents under the age of 65 are also eligible for this program. |
Minnesota Senior Federation Health Plan Information Center & Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program call 651-645-0261 (or 1-800-365-8765), ext. 124, between 10 am and 3 pm, Monday - Friday |
A.A.R.P. Discount Pharmacy Program call 1-800-456-2277 |
People's Prescription Plan (discounts at member pharmacies), call 1-800-566-0003 Several drug companies offer a discount on the drugs they manufacture to those who use the medications they make and are low-income. Most have income guidelines, some require recipients to be on Medicare, some only offer to seniors, etc |
Glaxo-Smith-Klein Drug Company discount program, call 1-888-672-6436. Must be Medicare eligible, annual income below $26K (single) / $35K (couple) - offers a 30% discount |
Lilly Answers Card discount program, call 1-877-RX-LILLY (795-4559). Must be 65 years or older or disabled, enrolled in Medicare, annual income below $18K (single) and $24K (household) offers $12 per month per prescription. |
Merck Drug Company discount program, call 1-800-727-5400 (or have your doctor call 1-800-994-2111). Annual income below $18K (single) and $24K (couple), no other prescription insurance - offers medications free of charge. |
Novartis Care Plan Card discount program, call 1-866-974-2273. Must be an eligible Medicare recipient, annual income below $26K (single) and $35K (couple) - offers a 25%+ discount. |
Pfizer for Living Share Card discount program, call 1-800-717-6005. Annual income must be below $18K (single) and $24K (couple). Must be enrolled in Medicare - offers $15 per month per prescription. |
Wyeth Drug Company discount program, call 1-800-568-9938 to have application and eligible medications faxed to you. No set income guidelines - doctor must verify that patient unable to afford prescription(s). |
Together Rx Prescription Savings Program, call 1-800-865-7211 (this program offers 20-40% savings on 150+ medications from Abbott, AstraZeneca, Avenis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, L.P., Novartis, and Ortho-McNeil) must be enrolled in Medicare with an annual income below $28K (single) and $38K (couple). |