Resources for Discount Medications

Caregivers everywhere are familiar with the high-wire act involved in paying for medications for a loved one in their care. Already working within tight budgets, families find it difficult to absorb recent increases in prescription costs. Carol Thomson, for example, pays $700-800 a month for her mother’s medications, and even though a small grant helped cover the cost over the past year, the grant is about to run out. So far, she has made 30 or 40 phone calls in an attempt to find discounted medications. Fortunately, a few generous physicians have helped her with free samples.

Caregiver Lucille Marinko will be forced to give up the attendant care which affords her a little respite time, because she is unable to pay for both the eight medications she needs for her mother and the additional help.

As we know, Medicare does not cover the cost of prescription medicines. For a while, Medicare supplemental policies—in particular the HMO policies—did cover prescriptions to a greater or lesser extent—sometimes with a cap on how much could be spent each year, sometimes with a given amount for co-pay, and sometimes with options for using generic medications.

However, because prescription costs are the largest cause of the increase in the cost of medical care in the United States—rising at twice the rate of inflation—most insurance companies have put limits on their coverage. Congress continues to debate different prescription coverage programs for Medicare recipients. Meanwhile, caregivers continue to scramble to find money to pay for drugs as well as the myriad other expenses involved in caring for someone with a long-term illness.

Often the people struggling to pay for these medications don’t meet traditional low-income guidelines to qualify for Medi-Cal. When people do qualify for Medi-Cal, the cost of their medications is covered as long as the medications they require are on the formulary (list of approved drugs). When a complicated illness is involved, however, even Medi-Cal eligible patients may need medications not covered by the Medi-Cal formulary. A physician can apply to Medi-Cal for an exemption for his patient; however, the process is time-consuming. Others eligible for Medi-Cal must pay a share of cost approximately equal to their out-of-pocket expenses, leaving a minimal amount each month to live on.

Those not eligible for Medi-Cal face an even more daunting process, as one often must apply to each pharmaceutical company separately, and each company has different criteria to qualify for lower prices.

As the government and insurance companies struggle with this problem, some help is available—although it may take access to a computer and considerable time to find the right program.

Help on the Web

• Many people are unaware that pharmacies that accept Medi-Cal are required to charge the Medi-Cal rate for prescriptions to people on Medicare. You can find the Medi-Cal rate for the top 50 drugs at: www.dhs.ca.gov/mcs/mcpd/MBB/contracting/sb393.
• The easiest way to review the kinds of programs drug companies offer is to visit www.needymeds.com.
• A new drug savings card called Together Rx is now available. It offers a 20-40% discount on the cost of medications. See www.togetherrx.com.
• The Medicine Program, www.themedicineprogram.com, helps people find assistance in obtaining medications, as does the Directory of Prescription Drug Assistance Programs, www.phrma.org.
• AARP has a mail order prescription program that gives discounts on medications. See www.aarppharmacy.com.
• Many people are talking about the “Canadian connection,” whereby people can save money on medications by importing them from Canada. Canadian pharmacies include www.canadameds.com, www.realfastdrugstore.com, and www.thecanadiandrugstore.com. Medicine Assist in Vermont will also help you access Canadian medications at www.unitedhealthalliance.com.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation has a summary of programs at their web site, www.kff.org.
• The California HealthCare Foundation offers an online guide that provides comparison information on different prescription drug programs available for seniors in California. You can access it at http://www.chcf.org/topics/view.cfm?itemID=19781

• Although it is often necessary to apply to each drug company for their particular discount card, the Association of Chain Drug Stores is promoting a Pharmacy Care One Card that links the company cards. Call (703) 837-4244.
• Those with Kaiser coverage can call member services to apply to their program for patients in need.
• Costco’s pharmacy offers some of the lowest prices on medication, and Costco membership is not required.
• Eisai and Pfizer have an Aricept Assistance Program for people with dementia. Call (800) 226-2072.
• Your local Area Agency on Aging, through their HICAP program (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) will also have information on drug programs.
• People who qualify for Veteran’s benefits can get lower cost prescriptions through the VA—see http://www.va.gov/health_benefits/.