Comparable Benefits for Prescription Drugs (March 1, 2000)

Medicaid Dispensing Fee for Drugs  (July 1, 1991)

SERVICE FEE MEMORANDUM

MS-99-00-09

DATE: March 1, 2000

RE: Comparable Benefits for Prescription Drugs

You will find attached information about The Medicine Program. This organization helps individuals apply for enrollment in one of the fifty or more patient assistance programs sponsored by drug manufacturers that provide free medicine to qualified individuals. The individual must complete a simple Medication Information Form (see brochure) and pay a $5.00 processing fee for each medication requested. The individual then mails the Medication Information Form along with the $5.00 processing fee for each medication to The Medicine Program. If the individual is determined to be ineligible by all applicable manufacturers and receives no medication assistance, a full refund of the individual’s $5.00 processing fees will be made upon written request.

Copy of an informational letter and a limited number of brochures are attached. Each DVR office can then order its own supply of additional brochures by sending an e-mail request to: brochures @themedicineprogram.com or by calling 573-778-1118.

This program will be very beneficial to many of the consumers being served by this agency who have limited resources and need ongoing assistance with maintenance medications. Consumer utilization of services through The Medicine Program will afford you the opportunity to reduce agency expenditures on prescription drugs while insuring that individuals with disabilities will continue to access quality services.

An Internet site for other Patient Assistance Programs sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies is: www.phrma.org/patients/

Special thanks to Kelly J. Whisman, Counselor Intern in the Covington Office, who did most of the preliminary exploration of The Medicine Program and other patient assistance programs.