State Prescription Plan Aims to Lower Costs for Seniors

The New York State Department of Health hosted a free informational session for local senior citizens at the  early Monday afternoon on an issue which undoubtedly takes precedence among many Americans aged 65 and up – prescription cost coverage.

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) outreach representative Riva Wilkens spoke to the group about the program which is a facet of the New York State Department of Health's senior care program, saying that relief from the high cost of prescriptions was in sight.

"By signing up for EPIC," Wilkens said, "you're guaranteeing that you won't have to pay high premiums for your prescriptions. Everyone deserves to get the medicine they need. With EPIC, you don't have to worry about not having enough money to get your medicines."

The idea of yet another government-run prescription program was not immediately well received by many of the seniors, who were skeptical that the entire program would either be a hassle or a scam from which they would receive no benefits. However, as details were delineated, the crowd warmed up to the idea of EPIC as they realized that the program can help to lower drug costs.

One attendee eager for information interrupted the speaker to ask the age minimum for EPIC customers. Reassuring her that she – and anyone at least 65 years of age – would qualify, Wilkens informed the crowd that candidates should also be a part of Medicare Part D (though EPIC can work with other forms of insurance outside of Medicare).

Candidates must also have an annual income of less than $35,000 if they are single, or less than $50,000 if they're married. Seniors who enroll with EPIC pay a low quarterly fee and enter into EPIC's Fee Plan. However, with this Fee Plan, customers no longer have to pay Medicare Part D premiums.

When a question regarding co-payment coverage was posed by another elderly woman who reportedly left a neighboring library to share healthcare information, the crowd began to stir.

Sensing their reluctance to address issues of inability to pay even truncated medical costs, Wilkens informed the crowds of the "Extra Help" program.

"The Extra Help program is a bit different from regular EPIC," she said. "With Medicare, the cost of prescriptions is decreased. With EPIC, since it works along with Medicare Part D, the cost of prescriptions is lowered even more. But, with the Extra Help program, you don't pay any EPIC fees and pay even lower [co-payments] for their prescriptions."

Attendees had the opportunity to have one-on-one informational sessions with Wilkens, where they could address any additional questions they might have had.

Several lingered and waited to speak with Wilkens while others took handfuls of informational fliers and enrollment slips to share at other library programs and within senior citizen homes.

While most seniors complain about staggering prescription costs, EPIC can serve as a program to ensure that almost any senior – especially those on very low incomes – can afford prescription medication.

For more information on New York State's EPIC program, please click here.