PRESCRIPTION NEWS

Medicare’s New Prescription Drug Program Begins January 1, 2006

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has announced that change is coming from Medicare that will affect Medicaid patients who are disabled or elderly. Medicare’s new prescription drug program is replacing Medicaid’s pharmacy benefit for the disabled, for low-income adults over 65 years old, and for EPIC (Elder Prescription Insurance Coverage) participants.

This pharmacy benefit change means that you could be without prescription coverage unless you take action. The following time table will assist you in taking the appropriate action for your particular circumstances.

Beginning May 2005

Have you received your application from Social Security? You may be eligible for extra help to pay for your prescription drugs. If you have received it, fill it out and drop it in the mail. It comes with a postage paid envelope. If you have not yet received an application from Social Security, letters of application will be mailed out through August. You can also apply online beginning July 2005 at www.socialsecurity.gov.

If you need assistance in filling out the application, you can go to your local senior center. Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) counselors have been trained to help, or you can call MMAP at (800) 803-7174 if you have questions.

Beginning October 2005

The drug plans will be announced in October 2005. The Medicare pharmacy benefit will be formulary based. This will likely change your prescription options. You can call MMAP for help in understanding which formulary best matches your medication needs.

Beginning November 15, 2005

If you have not yet selected a drug program, you must enroll before December 31, 2005, to continue to receive your pharmacy benefit coverage without interruption. Remember, if you need help you can call MMAP.

Prescription Assistance Available to Patients

Without Coverage

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA Rx) of Michigan is the state chapter of a nationwide initiative to bring pharmaceutical research companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups together to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicine they need through the public or private program that is right for you.

Since the project launched in May 2005 almost 10,000 people have already been matched with a patient assistance program either through the partnership website or over the phone. For more information on the program, visit www.pparx.org online or call (888) 477-2669 to get assistance in finding the prescription program appropriate for you.