New program offers seniors relief from high drug costs

In an effort to get the word out about the new Senior Rx program, volunteers were busy stuffing envelopes at the Nevada State Department of Human Resources on Thursday.

About 14,000 letters complete with applications will be mailed statewide to Nevada senior citizens expected to qualify for the program. Designed to provide relief from skyrocketing drug costs through outpatient prescription insurance coverage, the program was available for the first time in early October.

Debbra King, administrative services officer with the Department of Human Resources, said 17 other states have senior prescription drug assistance but not insurance.

"This is a brand-new program, the first stand-alone prescription drug insurance in the nation," she said, noting that this is the only pharmacy insurance for seniors not combined with other types of health coverage.

The amount saved can vary based on the type of medications prescribed, but the plan can save Nevada seniors hundreds in medication costs monthly.

The program is funded by the tobacco settlement money allocated during the 1999 legislative session. Approximately $15.9 million will be available annually for the Fund for a Healthy Nevada, and of that about one-third, or $5.9 million, will be set aside for this program. If not allocated, the money stays in the coffer until it's spent.

State officials expected a flood of applications when the program was first initiated in October, but business has been slow and getting the word out has been difficult. Only 300 seniors statewide applied in November for the program, which should serve between 10,000 and 12,000 when fully implemented.

"Things are picking up now," King said. "We received 117 applications in the first four days of December."

Plan members purchase the insurance directly with the insurance company, (Fidelity Security Life Insurance) and the monthly fee is subsidized by the state for a maximum of $40 per month. Seniors pay the rest of the premium cost, or $34.76 per month per member for the basic plan.

Applicants must be at least 62 years of age, and household income cannot exceed $21,500. They must have lived continuously in Nevada for at least one year prior to the date of the application and must be ineligible for Medicaid. (Medicaid benefits include prescription coverage.)

Open enrollment has been extended indefinitely and all interested seniors are invited to call Nevada's senior ombudsman for more information at (800) 243-3638. Applications can be obtained at any senior citizens center, or at any Nevada office of the Division of Aging Services. The phone number for Aging Services in Carson City is 687-4210 in Reno it is 688-2964. Applications can also be obtained through the State Department of Human Resources at 684-4000.