MEDICAID (HUSKY HEALTH)
The State of Connecticut provides prescription expense assistance for low-income children and adults through its Medicaid programs, known as HUSKY Health insurance. Visit the Husky Health Pharmacy web page, https://portal.ct.gov/HUSKY/Pharmacy to learn more about Husky Health pharmacy coverage. To learn how to qualify for HUSKY health programs, visit https://portal.ct.gov/HUSKY/How-to-Qualify Enrollment for most Husky Health programs is through AccessHealthCT, the state’s health insurance exchange http://www.accesshealthct.com
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 https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/ . Individuals on Medicaid or the Medicare Savings Program are also automatically placed on LIS, even if they do not meet the federal criteria for LIS. Most individuals in Connecticut qualify for LIS through the Medicare Savings Program, which is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS). MSP has higher income standards and no asset restrictions. To apply for MSP go to the DSS website: https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Health-And-Home-Care/Medicare-Savings-Program/Medicare-Savings-Program. To read more about the Low Income Subsidy, see the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s website at http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-info/medicare-part-d/.
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. Immigrants with or without a green card may be eligible.
To apply, visit the Connecticut Department of Health’s CADAP website at https://ctdph.magellanrx.com/, or visit 2-1-1’s eLibrary paper on the Connecticut AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
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
DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS
Discounted Prescriptions at Big Store Pharmacies – Big store pharmacies (Big Y, CVS, Costco, Target, Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, and Walmart) offer discounts on certain drugs, usually 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 a local United Way. 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 Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven (Carecard Program); and Saint Vincent Medical Center (Club 50).
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 https://nabp.pharmacy/ .
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/.
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name:
Prescription Drug Discount Program
Prescription Expense Assistance
———————————
PREPARED BY: 211/mb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2023