WriterDom
Good to the last drop
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2000
- Posts
- 20,077
A heads up for those with elderly parents or grandparents. We're trying to get our Mom in this program. She's taking two drugs that are very expensive. If she's approved, she'll only have to pay 30 dollars for the two, rather than the almost 300 a month she pays now.
The Problem
Most of the 40 million Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. are able to participate fully in the health care system. However, about 17 million, many elderly seniors, do not have any prescription coverage. While some of these individuals find alternative ways to pay for medicines, often paying out of pocket for them, there are many more who can't afford them. As a result, their illnesses—many life-threatening—go untreated.
40% of low-income adults have not filled a prescription in the past 12 months (Harris Poll, November 2001)
Low-income seniors without drug coverage are substantially more likely to not take their prescription drugs as prescribed than their counterparts with prescription coverage (Journal of General Internal Medicine, December 2001)
The Share Card Program
Pfizer is committed to helping these low-income Medicare beneficiaries get their medicines as well as helping them better manage their health care. Pfizer's program is designed to bridge the gap in drug coverage until broader Medicare reform is implemented.
The program offers:
A $15 fee for each 30-day Pfizer prescription
All Pfizer prescription drugs, as well as two co-promoted drugs
Simple, easy-to-enroll process
No membership or enrollment fee
Acceptance by most retail pharmacies in the U.S.
No limits on number of prescriptions or medicines
Health information and guidance on applying for existing benefits programs provided at patient's request
How it Works
To be eligible for the card, you must be:
65 years of age or older or otherwise a Medicare enrollee,
Have individual reported gross income below $18,000, or joint reported gross income below $24,000, and
Have no other prescription coverage.
Patients can call 1-800-717-6005 to receive an application. Informational brochures with the 1-800 number will be distributed at other locations: physicians' offices, pharmacies, senior centers, etc.
Patients will receive the card and health information in the mail.
Patients will use the card at participating pharmacies and pay a $15 fee per Pfizer prescription for each 30-day supply of medicine.
Nationwide Rollout
January 15 — Program launch
February 1 — Enrollment initiation
March 1 — Cards can be used at participating retail pharmacies
For additional information on the Pfizer program or to receive an application, please call 1-800-717-6005
The Problem
Most of the 40 million Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. are able to participate fully in the health care system. However, about 17 million, many elderly seniors, do not have any prescription coverage. While some of these individuals find alternative ways to pay for medicines, often paying out of pocket for them, there are many more who can't afford them. As a result, their illnesses—many life-threatening—go untreated.
40% of low-income adults have not filled a prescription in the past 12 months (Harris Poll, November 2001)
Low-income seniors without drug coverage are substantially more likely to not take their prescription drugs as prescribed than their counterparts with prescription coverage (Journal of General Internal Medicine, December 2001)
The Share Card Program
Pfizer is committed to helping these low-income Medicare beneficiaries get their medicines as well as helping them better manage their health care. Pfizer's program is designed to bridge the gap in drug coverage until broader Medicare reform is implemented.
The program offers:
A $15 fee for each 30-day Pfizer prescription
All Pfizer prescription drugs, as well as two co-promoted drugs
Simple, easy-to-enroll process
No membership or enrollment fee
Acceptance by most retail pharmacies in the U.S.
No limits on number of prescriptions or medicines
Health information and guidance on applying for existing benefits programs provided at patient's request
How it Works
To be eligible for the card, you must be:
65 years of age or older or otherwise a Medicare enrollee,
Have individual reported gross income below $18,000, or joint reported gross income below $24,000, and
Have no other prescription coverage.
Patients can call 1-800-717-6005 to receive an application. Informational brochures with the 1-800 number will be distributed at other locations: physicians' offices, pharmacies, senior centers, etc.
Patients will receive the card and health information in the mail.
Patients will use the card at participating pharmacies and pay a $15 fee per Pfizer prescription for each 30-day supply of medicine.
Nationwide Rollout
January 15 — Program launch
February 1 — Enrollment initiation
March 1 — Cards can be used at participating retail pharmacies
For additional information on the Pfizer program or to receive an application, please call 1-800-717-6005
