Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 249327

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Income guidelines for help with meds

Posted by Rainee on August 8, 2003, at 12:57:56

I contacted the makers of abilify and am getting the application.. can any one give an idea what the income guide lines are? My husband makes decent income but we have no insurance and the med is very expensive..

Thanks

 

Re: Income guidelines for help with meds » Rainee

Posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 13:22:38

In reply to Income guidelines for help with meds, posted by Rainee on August 8, 2003, at 12:57:56

Hi, I don't know what income guidelines you are specifically referring to, but I work with income-based medical coverage all the time, and in Maryland, we usually use the federal poverty level income guidelines, which I'm attaching. Just in case people don't know, you can go directly to a drug manufacturer and ask for free meds. Many of the companies have those types of programs to use as a tax write off. I believe there are programs in most states as well, often called MEDBANK. All of them have different income requirements. Good luck with everything!

2003 HHS Poverty Guidelines
Size of Family Unit 48 Contiguous States and D.C.
1 $ 8,980
2 12,120
3 15,260
4 18,400
5 21,540
6 24,680
7 27,820
8 30,960
For each additional
person, add 3,140

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 26, February 7, 2003, pp. 6456-6458.

Here's the link if it doesn't make sense.
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/03poverty.htm

 

Re: Income guidelines for help with meds » Rainee

Posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 13:24:52

In reply to Income guidelines for help with meds, posted by Rainee on August 8, 2003, at 12:57:56

Also, if by any chance you live in Maryland, I have a lot of information about drug coverage programs, etc. I might be able to help you for other states as well. Let me know.

 

Can you help me, please? Read inside:

Posted by Janelle on August 8, 2003, at 13:44:07

In reply to Re: Income guidelines for help with meds » Rainee, posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 13:24:52

I'm in the wonderful (not!) state of AZ, which ranks close to the BOTTOM in health care. Anyway, because my pittance of SSDI is just above the income guidelines for medicaid, I got booted off it. So now I have NO insurance. HELP - do you know of any sources for no or low cost insurance in my state (AZ), or anything I could do to get back on medicaid? Thanks.

 

Re: Can you help me, please? Read inside: » Janelle

Posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 14:21:41

In reply to Can you help me, please? Read inside:, posted by Janelle on August 8, 2003, at 13:44:07

Hi, I found a couple of things in AZ.

1. AZ has a Ticket to Work program which allows disabled individuals to work and earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level guidelines. Were you already in this program and now you make too much? If not, it's worth looking into. It allows disabled individuals (SSDI) to remain insured under the State's Medicaid program and continue to work.

2. Are you covered by Medicare? If so, you might fall into a category called QMB or SLMB which allows you to stay enrolled in Medicaid and retain drug coverage.

http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us/Services/EligReqirements/MedicareShare.asp

3. Take a look at the website www.rxassist.org
It lists drug assistance programs by State. It says that AZ is going to enact a 2-year pilot program, but doesn't say what date. It also has information on drug discount cards. Advance PCS had one that was free and gave holders discounts from 10% to 35%. I don't know if it's still available. www.advance-pcs.com

4. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a site that finds prescription drug assistance programs by state or zipcode.

http://www.medicare.gov/Prescription/Home.asp

I hope some of this is helpful. Also, apply directly to the drug manufacturer of the drug(s) you need to see if you qualify for their drug assistance programs.

Good luck!

 

Re: Can you help me, please? Read inside: » Janelle

Posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 14:35:36

In reply to Can you help me, please? Read inside:, posted by Janelle on August 8, 2003, at 13:44:07

Janelle,

Most states have was is called a high risk insurance pool. Have you heard of these? (Forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know).

Apparently, AZ has one. I don't know the name of it, but you might qualify.

AZ's high risk pool:
2. Allows Medicare eligibles
3. Gives Medicare eligibles discount when the risk pool is the secondary coverage
4. May only offer Medicare eligibles one of the federally defined (options A through J) “Medigap” plans

Unfortunately, the typical monthly premium is:
$445 for one person.

I think the income guidelines go up to 400% of the federal poverty level guidelines if you have a "chronic" condition.

 

THANKS - will write more soon (nm) » Susan J

Posted by Janelle on August 8, 2003, at 17:35:25

In reply to Re: Can you help me, please? Read inside: » Janelle, posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 14:35:36

 

SUSANJ: info/answers » Susan J

Posted by Janelle on August 10, 2003, at 16:10:35

In reply to Re: Can you help me, please? Read inside: » Janelle, posted by Susan J on August 8, 2003, at 14:21:41

Thanks for what you took the time to find out about regarding AZ.

I have heard of the Ticket to Work program which allows disabled individuals to work and earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level guidelines, but I'm under the impression it is part of Social Security Admin, not state government??

Yes, I was in AZ's medicaid program now I make too much, which is a joke because I'm below the federal poverty guidelines and barely make enough to make ends meet. It is pathetic.

No, not covered by Medicare - you have to be on SSI/SSDI for 2 years for that and I'm not near there. I've heard of QMB but not SLMB - what is the latter?

I'm going to click on all the links you provided, thanks!

 

Re: SUSANJ: info/answers » Janelle

Posted by Susan J on August 11, 2003, at 8:45:05

In reply to SUSANJ: info/answers » Susan J, posted by Janelle on August 10, 2003, at 16:10:35

Janelle,

Sorry about the SSDI thing. I didn't realize there was a 2-year waiting period to be eligible for Medicare.

A SLMB (Slim-B) is a Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary. I'm not sure of the requirements for this, but it does allow a slightly higher income level than a QMB can get.

The only other thing I can suggest, if you don't qualify for any of the drug manufacturer's low-income drug programs, is that I know some doctors give out their drug samples to patients free to save them the prescription drug costs. In Maryland, this was an acceptable practice. I think some states are cracking down on the amount of free drugs a doctor can recieve from drug manufacturers because in a round-about way, it does increase drug costs.

I hope you find something helpful. It's really tough for people who fall through the gaps to get the drugs they need - you either earn too much or too little....

Good luck...

Susan


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