Millions of seniors miss out on Medicare prescription drug savings

More than 2 million people on Medicare could be getting their prescription drugs nearly for free, but don’t. That’s because they have not signed up for Extra Help, an important Medicare benefit that subsidizes drug costs for low-income senior citizens.

Extra Help can pay nearly all of the prescription drug costs a senior incurs in a Part D drug plan. It is provided automatically to seniors receiving Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income benefits. In some states, Extra Help also is automatic for people receiving benefits through the Medicare Savings Program, which helps subsidize Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (outpatient) premiums. The RX Solution 

But among seniors who do not automatically qualify, less than half are enrolled in Extra Help, according to Jack Hoadley, a research professor at the Health Policy Institute of Georgetown University who tracks the program.

“The government reaches out with information on this from time to time,” Hoadley says. “What’s harder is to figure out how to reach out specifically to people who are eligible.” The RX Solution 

With Medicare’s annual fall enrollment season in full swing – and running through December 7 – it is a good time to remind seniors that they may be eligible. The benefit is substantial – annual savings can easily total $800 on premiums and deductibles, and can be much higher for seniors with high drug spending.

Two factors determine your eligibility for Extra Help: income and assets.

Your income cannot exceed the federal poverty level guidelines. For seniors with incomes of 135 percent of the federal poverty level or lower, Medicare pays the entire annual premium, expected to average $480 next year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Extra Help also covers deductibles, which typically run $310 for the year.

What’s more, Extra Help enrollees are exempt from the notorious donut hole – the coverage gap that next year will begin when combined spending by patients and insurers hit $2,850, and ends when spending reaches $4,550.

Enrollees are responsible only for a small co-pay for drugs that are covered under the plan – the cost is $2.55 for generic drugs, and $6.35 for brand-name medications.

Seniors with incomes ranging from 135 percent to 150 percent of the federal poverty level get a partial subsidy of premiums and deductibles on a sliding scale, and are responsible for somewhat higher co-pays.

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Remicade is a treatment used to alleviate the symptoms of pain and inflammation in a range of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, especially psoriatic arthritis and various types of psoriasis, including chronic plaque psoriasis.

What is Remicade prescribed for?

Remicade is prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis.

How does Remicade work?

Remicade works by blocking the actions of a certain natural substance (tumor necrosis factor alpha) in the body. This helps to decrease swelling (inflammation) and weaken your immune system, thereby slowing or stopping the damage from the disease.

What are the potential side effects of Remicade?

Headache, stomach pain, or nausea may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Help with the cost of Remicade

Not many people know that a number of Pharmaceutical companies run programs called the Patient Assistance Programs or prescription assistance programs. These programs are designed to help people with low income and little to no prescription insurance coverage by providing the medications at little or no money.

The Rx Solution is an organization that was founded to help such people. Here at The Rx Solution, we help a number of patients without prescription drug coverage to get medications through the various prescription assistance programs.

We bring together our nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies along with other medical professionals to help patients qualify for such programs for very low monthly fees. Our mission is to spread awareness of such programs and help eligible people get into such programs easily and without hassle.

If you need help with the cost of Remicade, call us today at (888) 823-0042 to enroll in our widely successful program. Join us today and let us lend you a helping hand.

Do you need help with the cost of Orencia? Orencia (abatacept) is a man-made protein that prevents your body’s immune system from attacking healthy tissues such as joints. The immune system helps your body fight infections. … Orencia is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions.

What is Orencia prescribed for?

In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakes the body’s own cells for invaders and attacks them. Orencia is used to treat the symptoms ofrheumatoid arthritis, and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions. It is also used to treat arthritis in children who are at least 6 years old.

What are the potential side effects of Orencia?

Headache, nausea, or cold symptoms such as stuffy head/nose may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Because abatacept works by weakening the immune system, it may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn’t go away, fever, chills, cough).

Help with the cost of Orencia

Not many people know that a number of Pharmaceutical companies run programs called the Patient Assistance Programs or prescription assistance programs. These programs are designed to help people with low income and little to no prescription insurance coverage by providing the medications at little or no money.

The Rx Solution is an organization that was founded to help such people. Here at The Rx Solution, we help a number of patients without prescription drug coverage to get medications through the various prescription assistance programs.

We bring together our nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies along with other medical professionals to help patients qualify for such programs for very low monthly fees. Our mission is to spread awareness of such programs and help eligible people get into such programs easily and without hassle.

If you need help with the cost of Orencia, call us today at (888) 823-0042 to enroll in our widely successful program. Join us today and let us lend you a helping hand.