High cost of helpful life-saving drugs causes hardship

Many seniors and younger adults with disabilities need prescription medication to stay healthy. However, the high cost of these helpful life-saving drugs makes it hard for people, especially those with limited or fixed incomes, to afford them.

This booklet is a guide for older people and adults with disabilities who need help paying for prescription drugs. In addition to information about programs in Maine, other resources such as consumer buying tips and where to get help in your community are included.

If you have questions about paying for health care, you can get help from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This statewide service provides information and assistance for people who have questions about their health insurance. Counselors can help with Medicare, supplemental insurance (Medigap), Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicare Savings Programs, MaineCare and other kinds of health insurance issues. These trained staff will also help with prescription drug assistance application forms and guide you through the application process.

Does medicare cover any prescription drugs?

Currently, Medicare pays for prescription drugs while you are in the hospital. With very few exceptions, Medicare does not cover the cost of prescription drugs outside of the hospital.

The new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, will start January 1, 2006. See Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 and older, some people with disabilities under age 65 and people with permanent kidney failure. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the federal Medicare agency. If you have questions about Medicare benefits call your local Area Agency on Aging or Legal Services for the Elderly.

What about Medicare Supplemental Insurance?

If you have Medicare, you may be able to purchase a private Medicare supplemental insurance policy (also called Medigap) that covers some of the costs of prescription drugs. These policies are more expensive than Medigap policies that do not cover prescription drugs.

Source: RefillPill.com Editors' Choice