From: Drug firms might be able to help (hometownannapolis.com)
Published May 11, 2008
My husband has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. He has been prescribed a very expensive medication. We are not eligible for Medicare because we are resident aliens who haven't lived in the United States for five years yet. Is there any way we can get help to purchase this prescription drug?
It is possible that you can get some assistance from the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug. All major drug companies offer a patient assistance program to provide certain medications at low or no cost, making it possible for patients who cannot afford specific medications to get them. Each company has different eligibility and application requirements, and you must apply personally through the drug company that produces the medication.
There are many sources to help you find out how to apply for medication assistance. First you must know what company produces the drug. Then you can go to www.rxassist.org on the Web and research that pharmaceutical company's guidelines to see if your husband's specific drug is offered through a program.
If you need further assistance, call the Senior Health Insurance Program at 410-222-4464.
I have received Social Security Disability (SSDI) payments for several years. Because of my limited income, I am on Medicaid.
Now my doctor has said that even though I still suffer from a chronic condition, I can go back to work, and I have found a job that I can manage. However, my earnings together with my SSDI will make me ineligible for Medicaid, which is my only health insurance coverage.
I haven't been disabled long enough to get Medicare benefits. Is there any insurance I can get that will be affordable for me? I really want to go back to work.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a program called Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) that will allow eligible Maryland citizens with disabilities to work and to pay a small fee to receive health care coverage through Medicaid.
EID is a work incentive program that provides for people who are disabled and have been approved for SSDI or SSI, are U.S. citizens or qualified aliens aged 18 to 64, are working for pay and meet the income and asset eligibility guidelines for the program. Individuals who lose their SSDI benefit due to earned income are also eligible.
EID provides full fee-for-service Medicaid coverage and wraparound services for those with other health insurance or Medicare. Eligible individuals buy in to the program with a $75 enrollment fee for six months of coverage, and every six months the coverage can be renewed for $75. For details, call 800-637-4113.
Susan Knight is a senior health insurance consultant. If you have questions about the information in this column, contact the county's Senior Health Insurance Program at the Department of Aging and Disabilities at 410-222-4464 or ship_program@aacounty.org.
There are many sources to help you find out how to apply for medication assistance. First you must know what company produces the drug. Then you can go to www.rxassist.org on the Web and research that pharmaceutical company's guidelines to see if your husband's specific drug is offered through a program.
If you need further assistance, call the Senior Health Insurance Program at 410-222-4464.
I have received Social Security Disability (SSDI) payments for several years. Because of my limited income, I am on Medicaid.
Now my doctor has said that even though I still suffer from a chronic condition, I can go back to work, and I have found a job that I can manage. However, my earnings together with my SSDI will make me ineligible for Medicaid, which is my only health insurance coverage.
I haven't been disabled long enough to get Medicare benefits. Is there any insurance I can get that will be affordable for me? I really want to go back to work.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a program called Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) that will allow eligible Maryland citizens with disabilities to work and to pay a small fee to receive health care coverage through Medicaid.
EID is a work incentive program that provides for people who are disabled and have been approved for SSDI or SSI, are U.S. citizens or qualified aliens aged 18 to 64, are working for pay and meet the income and asset eligibility guidelines for the program. Individuals who lose their SSDI benefit due to earned income are also eligible.
EID provides full fee-for-service Medicaid coverage and wraparound services for those with other health insurance or Medicare. Eligible individuals buy in to the program with a $75 enrollment fee for six months of coverage, and every six months the coverage can be renewed for $75. For details, call 800-637-4113.
Susan Knight is a senior health insurance consultant. If you have questions about the information in this column, contact the county's Senior Health Insurance Program at the Department of Aging and Disabilities at 410-222-4464 or ship_program@aacounty.org.
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