Further Reducing Your Medication Costs

If you have gross annual income at or below $16,236/individual or $21,852/couple, and cash assets at or below $12,510/individual and $25,010/couple you may be eligible for help from Social Security with the costs of a Medicare-approved prescription drug plan (income amounts may be higher if beneficiaries financially support a relative other than a spouse who lives with them). You can apply for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) online at the Social Security Administration Web site or by calling Social Security (1-800-772-1213) or the NC Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (1-800-443-9354). In Durham, you may also call Senior PharmAssist (919-688-4772). If you think you may qualify, IT PAYS TO ACT IMMEDIATELY. If you do not qualify for the maximum amount of LIS assistance, you may be eligible for other help with your out-of-pocket medication expenses.

North Carolina offers “premium assistance” of up to $29/month for seniors who are 65 or older, have a Medicare Part D plan and do not qualify for full LIS assistance, provided they have:

  • gross annual income at or below $18,948/individual or $25,488/couple
  • cash resources at or below $23,592/individual or $36,139/couple
  • and a Medicare-approved drug plan that will accept payments from the state; most plans are participating

For more information on this program, visit the NCRx Web site or call 1-888-488-NCRx (6279). Though the original deadline to apply for NCRx has been extended indefinitely, don’t delay. Seniors who live in Durham County should contact Senior PharmAssist because we can help you enroll in NCRx. Also, if you are eligible for NCRx, you are eligible for Senior PharmAssist’s supplemental drug coverage.

Participants in our supplemental program use their Medicare card first and then our card as a back up. For medicines on our geriatric formulary (safer, more effective and more cost-effective medications for older adults), our participants pay no more than $2 for generics or $5 for brand-name medications. In other words, Senior PharmAssist picks up the cost of covered medications whenever the Medicare plan does not — before, during and after the “doughnut hole” or coverage gap. And THERE IS NO DEADLINE TO ENROLL in Senior PharmAssist’s supplemental program. Our participants also receive hands-on assistance to help them better manage their medicines and access other community resources, which can further enhance their well-being.