If you are having problems paying for your prescription medications, there are ways to save money on the costs. Select a topic below to learn more about a particular program:
Medicare Prescription Drug Program
Medicare offers prescription drug coverage for everyone with Medicare. This coverage is called "Part D" coverage and may help lower prescription drug costs. Medicare
drug plans are run by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare. There are two ways to get Medicare prescription drug coverage:
For questions about when you can enroll in a Medicare drug program, or for help with finding and comparing plans, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, your local Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program at 1-800-803-7174, or visit
www.medicare.gov or
http://wwwmmapinc.org
Extra Help
Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for extra help in paying for Medicare Prescription Drug Program premiums and other costs if they have limited income and resources. If you are a Medicare beneficiary and your annual income is less than $16,245 for a single person, or $21,855 for a couple and you have limited assets, you may qualify for help paying for your prescriptions. The extra help can increase your cost savings by paying for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program. For questions, or to apply for extra help, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html. You can also call your local Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program at 1-800-803-7174.
World Medical Relief
If you are a resident of Oakland, Macomb, or Wayne counties and make less than $19,000 a year (for a single person), or $31,000 a year (for a couple) and have no prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for assistance. Through this program, you will receive medications for $8.30 per prescription per month (This includes shipping costs). Call 1-800-552-1183 to see if you qualify.
Veteran's Health Care Benefits
If you completed 24 continuous months of active military service, you may be eligible for prescription drug coverage as part of your veteran's benefits. Visit
http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/ or call 1-877-222-8387 for more information.
Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs
Many of the major drug companies offer assistance with prescription drug costs. To find out whether a Patient Assistance Program is available for the drugs you take, contact the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program at 1-800-803-7174. A list of brand name and generic drugs and their Patient Assistance Programs are also available at
www.needymeds.com.
County Discount Programs
Several Michigan counties offer residents prescription drug discount cards. Depending on the prescription, a discount card may provide savings up to 30%. For more information on discount cards, contact the agency in your county:
