February 21, 2005
Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150
Seniors Receive 3-Month Extension To Apply For Free Medication
TALLAHASSEE - Florida seniors will have an additional three months to apply for free prescription medication following an agreement with Medco, a pharmaceutical benefits management company, Attorney General Charlie Crist announced today. The settlement provided eligible Florida seniors with the opportunity to receive free prescription drug benefits. This latest agreement is designed to help more Florida consumers benefit from the state's prior settlement with Medco, extending the deadline for distribution of the benefits to July 20, 2006.
The free medication program, the result of an April 2004 settlement between the Attorney General's Office and Medco, will distribute generic medication to citizens who are: - at least 60 years of age - considered low-income (incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, or no more than $19,836 per year for individuals or $24,973 per year for couples) - not receiving Medicaid services
The Attorney General's Office, in conjunction with the Department of Elder Affairs, completed an initial mailing to 8,000 seniors to inform them of the program. Follow-up calls were completed this week and were accompanied by a second mailing to an additional pool of citizens, notifying them of the program's expansion. The longer time period and expanded eligibility will enable a larger number of senior citizens to qualify for the program. Many of these citizens could be eligible for up to $300 of prescription drug benefit.
"With many of Florida's seniors already suffering under the weight of high prescription drug costs, this opportunity to receive the free benefits comes as welcome relief," said Crist. "We encourage all eligible citizens to take advantage of the assistance that this program provides."
Florida and 19 other states had alleged that Medco encouraged prescribers to switch patients to different prescription drugs without fully disclosing the resulting savings from drug manufacturers.
Medco is changing its business practices to inform patients of their option to decline drug switches and be reimbursed for the costs of drug-related switches. Of the 20 states involved, Florida was one of the few states that refused a cash settlement, opting instead for funds for a generic drug distribution program for needy elderly citizens. The drug distribution option has a 25 percent greater net worth than the cash settlement, amounting to $2.3 million.
Eligible elderly Floridians are encouraged to respond promptly to the mailed notice and return a signed authorization form to participate in the medication distribution program. A welcome package from Medco will be sent to participants that will guide them through the benefits of the program.
For more information about the Free Generic Prescriptions by Mail program, elders and caregivers can call the Department of Elder Affairs' Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) and ask to speak to a SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselor.