Your Inside Look at Arizona’s Health Care Community
Posted in Family & Caregiver, Medicare on May 28th, 2010
Many of you have received a notice from CMS highlighting some of the changes that will occur due to the Affordable Care Act that was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. Better access to primary and chronic care, improved long term care choices and more affordable options in prescription drug plans are just some [...]
New ALTCS members are likely to already have an existing relationship with a primary physician. It can be difficult for members to find a new physician which they trust with their medical concerns. To avoid this dilemma, new ALTCS members should try and select an ALTCS network to which their primary physician belongs.
You may continue [...]
Posted in Medicare on Mar 27th, 2009
Q: How can I get mail order drugs?
A: Mercy Care Plan is contracted with Express Scripts for an extended supply of maintenance drugs using mail order pharmacy services.
Mail order can only be used to fill prescriptions for “maintenance” drugs. Maintenance drugs are defined as drugs that are taken on a regular basis for a chronic [...]
Posted in Medicare on Mar 26th, 2009
Q: What if I can’t afford to pay my co-pay?
A: It is very important that you still take your medication. You many need to ask for help. Some ideas you can try are:
Ask your doctor to write your prescriptions for generic drugs.
Get your maintenance drugs through mail order for only one co-pay for a 90 [...]
Posted in Medicare on Mar 25th, 2009
Q: How much are my co-payments?
A: Since you are on Medicaid, you qualify for extra help with your co-payments. Depending on your income, you will pay the following:
Generic Drugs: $1.10 OR $2.40
Brand Name Drugs: $3.20 OR $6.00
Posted in Medicare on Mar 24th, 2009
Q: Why do I need to start paying co-payments now?
A: There is a small co-payment for all Part D prescription drugs. The State of Arizona has been paying your prescription drug co-payments. Now that there is a state budget deficit, the State no longer has the money to pay for Medicare Part D co-payments.
Posted in Medicare on Mar 23rd, 2009
Q: Who covers prescription drug costs?
A: Medicare pays for most of the prescription drugs you need. You receive both Medicaid (AHCCCS) and Medicare benefits, including Medicare Part D Prescription Drug benefits. If you are Medicare eligible, Medicaid (AHCCCS) does not pay for your prescription drugs (with the exception of a very few types).
Posted in ALTCS, Family & Caregiver, Medicare, Social Workers on Mar 12th, 2009
Many of our clients on ALTCS are having issues with Medicare D premiums and copays for medication. I image this is true for all ALTCS recipients with the recent news that ALTCS has stopped the additional prescription coverage. Family members, friends or professionals, can limit this cost for the ALTCS recipient by making sure the individual is dually enrolled with the Medicare D [...]
Unfortunately, due to the state budget deficit, the AHCCCS Part D Co-Payment Program, administered by RxAmerica to cover Medicare Part D co-payments for AHCCCS Dual Eligible Members, will be discontinued as of March 1, 2009.
Under Arizona Laws 2008, Chapter 285, Section 3, and Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 35-154, funding cannot be provided for a [...]
Posted in ALTCS, Family & Caregiver, Medicare on Feb 5th, 2009
It is very common for people to confuse Medicare and Medicaid. While their names are similar, there are actually BIG differences between the two government programs. As the two programs apply to seniors, they both have unique benefits, but Medicaid (ALTCS) provides better coverage for long-term health care.Much of the confusion about Medicaid and long-term healthc are [...]