September 12, 2008-KXMB (Prescription Connection Program)

Sep 12, 2008 10:59PM
KXMBTV Bismarck

To watch the news story, click on this link:

http://www.kxmb.com/video.asp?ArticleId=274861&VideoId=22213

Text of the story:

If you have Medicare coverage but cant afford your prescription drugs, there is help.

A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows one in three seniors has fallen into the coverage gap.

This is when someone has used all of his medical coverage and the rest of his care has to be paid out-of-pocket.

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm says these people qualify for the Insurance Department’s Prescription Connection Program.

He says all people have to do is come in and fill out an application for each of the prescriptions they are on.

They will then be matched with pharmaceutical companies which offer free or discount medications.

(Adam Hamm/ ND Insurance Commissioner) “What they found confirms what we ahve been finding here in North Dakota. Namely that more senoirs have been hitting the donut hole. They are hitting it earlier in the year. Once they hit that donut hole or coverage gap most of them are staying in it to the end of the year and they need help and they need help now.”

To learn more about the Prescription Connection Program, you can log onto www.nd.gov/ndins…. or call the North Dakota Insurance Department at 1-800-247-0560.