Lieutenant Governor Murray Announces Prescription Advantage On-Going Open Enrollment
Linda Slota, Director

Prescription Advantage, the Commonwealth's pharmacy assistance program is opening enrollment to allow seniors to enroll at anytime throughout the year. In previous years Massachusetts residents age 65 or older had to visit for a scheduled open enrollment period. "By allowing seniors to apply at anytime, " Lt. Governor Murray said, "Prescription Advantage will be available to people when they need it most." Last year, Prescription Advantage helped more than 12,000 members who reached the Medicare Part D coverage gap or what is commonly referred to as the "donut hole."

Prescriptoin Advantage lowers durg costs for many seniors and individuals with disabilites by wrapping around their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. The program helps pay for co-payments, premiums and the coverage gaps associated with Part D plans. In addition to providing coverage during the donut-hole, other benefits of joining Prescription Advangae include:

• No monthly premium
• It supplements Medicare prescription benefits by helping to pay co-payments and deductibles
• It limits the amount of money spent on prescriptions
• Individuals with limited income may also be eligible to receive help paying for their Medicare Part D plan premiums

"Access to affordable prescription drugs is crucial to many elders who are increasingsly diaagnosed with treatable, chronic medical conditions. Massachussetts seniors will now be able to apply to Prescription Advantage at any time to get assistance paying for their important medications." said Health and Human Services Secretary Judy Ann Bigby. Seniors not eligible for Medicare and those who do not have Medicare Part D, but have prescription drug coverage through an employer or union, can also apply for Prescription Advantage benefits. Becoming a Prescription Advantage member will allow those who are eligible for Part D, but have not yet joined a Part D plan, to join one without having to wait for Medicare's open enrollment in November. "It is important for people who were not eligible for Prescription Advantage before, or who did not consider the program, to understand how much Prescriptioin Advantage can help," said Elder Affairs Acting Secretary Eleonor Shea-Delaney. To obtain a Prescription Advantage enrollment form, visit the Elder Affairs website at www.mass.gov/elders or call toll free 1-800-243-4636. TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-877-610-0241, to speak with Prescription Advantage Customer Service or to access a SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) counselor for free health insurance counseling and application support. MassMedLine staff is also available to help with decisions about prescription drug coverage at 1-866-633-1617.

Prescription Advantage Fact Sheet

Q. Who can join Prescription Advantage?

A. Prescription Advantage is available to those who are 65 years of age or older who do not have a gross annual income that exceeds 500% or more of the Federal Poverty Level (single $51,050, married $58,450) or under age 65, work no more than 40 hours per month, meet MassHealth's CommHealth disability requirements, and have a gross annual household income at or below 188% of the Federal Poverty Level (single $19,195, married $25,737.)

Q. How will Prescription Advantage work for those eligible for Medicare?

A. Medicare Part D will be the primary drug insurance. Prescription Advantage will be the secondary payer supplementing the Medicare coverage during coverage gaps and will provide protection from catastrophic drug costs; Prescription Advantage will cover the portions of co-payments that exceed Prescription Advantage limits. Co-payment limits are on a sliding scale according to the member's income; there will be no monthly premium for Prescription Advantage members with income below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (single $30,631 - $51,050, married $41,071 - $68,450) and Prescription Advantage may also pay all or part of the member's Medicare Part D premium.

Q. How does Prescription Advantage work for those not eligible for Medicare?

A. For members not eligible for Medicare, Prescription Advantagae will continue to provide primary prescriptoins drug coverage and there will be no monthly premium for this coverage; however, members will pay a quarterly deductible and co-payments until an annual out of pocket spending limit is reached. At that time, Prescription Advantage will pay the full cost of the member's covered prescription drugs through the end of the plan year.