Rx Program to benefit seniors, disabled
Marian Flarity's monthly prescription bill is more than her monthly income. But thanks to the Madison County Commission's Senior Rx Program, she is able to get her medicine for free through the drug companies.
Flarity worked at Redstone Arsenal until she retired at the age of 65. She takes medications for, among other things, diabetes, depression and hormone replacement.
The six-year-old program assists residents age 55 and older who meet specific income guidelines in obtaining less costly and possibly free medications from pharmaceutical companies.
Senior Rx Administrator Carletta Curry said the program had served as many as 2,000 seniors before the Medicare Part D plan was implemented two years ago, but now only serves 4 to 500.
"I'm sure there are hundreds of residents who still don't have insurance but are unaware of our program," Curry said.
Curry describes the program as a bridge to the pharmaceutical companies, who distribute medications to seniors for little or no charge. The paperwork for this kind of application can be overwhelming for seniors, she said, so the Rx program staff gets it started for them.
Curry wants to make sure everyone who needs the program and qualifies for it knows about it and how to apply. Applicants must be 55 or older, earn less than $20,800 for a single-person household or $28,000 for a two-person household, live in Madison County, have no prescription insurance and the medications must be for a long-term chronic condition like diabetes or blood pressure.
Qualifying seniors will receive free or reduced-price prescription medications mailed directly to the patient or physician. Discount pharmacy cards are also available.
The program is sponsored through the county commission, which doesn't charge anything or make any money from the process.
"The program is the best thing we've got in this country," Flarity said. "I try to tell everybody about it because there are so many people who don't know."
For more information, visit www.co.madison.al.us and click on "department of planning and economic development" or call 532-3345.
