(Washington, DC) The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on
Aging is encouraging those on Medicare who have cancer and other serious
diseases to consider signing up for a new demonstration prescription
drug assistance program.
Under the effort, Medicare will pay for certain drugs and biologicals
(vaccines, hormones, antibodies, and blood products) which can be taken
at home. The coverage pays for up to 90 percent on the cost of oral and
self-injectable drugs.
"If you have a serious illness and are paying for expensive miracle
drugs, especially if you are on a limited budget, I strongly encourage
you to enroll," said Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate
Aging Committee. "If you apply now, there is a good chance that you
could be approved."
The demonstration program was made possible when Congress passed the
historic changes to Medicare last year. Enrollment was set at 50,000
people – but so far only 4,000 have signed up. If Medicare receives more
applications for the demonstration than can be enrolled, participants
will be chosen by random selection.
"I think there is probably a lack of knowledge about this demonstration
program just as there is with the temporary drug discount cards now in
place," Sen. Craig said. So far nearly 4.5 million seniors are now
enrolled in the new, temporary, Medicare approved drug discount cards
which are saving seniors nearly 20 percent off the retail price of
drugs. Both the current Medicare approved drug discount cards and the
demonstration program for major illnesses will be replaced when the full
Medicare drug benefit starts in 2006.
Under the demonstration program, Medicare beneficiaries with cancer,
multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious diseases who
applied by August 16 of this year began receiving benefits on September
1. The next enrollment period ends September 30 – those who apply by
then and are enrolled will begin receiving benefits by October 18.
Also, just like the Medicare drug benefit, the demonstration program
benefit allows beneficiaries with monthly incomes below $1,047 a month
for an individual or $1,405 a month for a couple to reduce their costs
for the drugs included in the demonstration to $5 per prescription or
less. Beneficiaries with incomes below 15 percent of the federal poverty
level and limited assets also qualify for additional assistance.