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Aging and health groups want Gov. Cuomo to restore cuts to senior EPIC prescription program

Posted 2/18/12

Advocates of senior citizens, pharmacists, aging and health care counselors, and cancer prevention organizations are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to restore copayment assistance to older New …

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Aging and health groups want Gov. Cuomo to restore cuts to senior EPIC prescription program

Posted

Advocates of senior citizens, pharmacists, aging and health care counselors, and cancer prevention organizations are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to restore copayment assistance to older New Yorkers who are enrolled in the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program.

In a letter submitted to the governor today, the organizations asked him to amend his proposed budget so that EPIC will continue to provide assistance to older adults in New York so they can afford their medications.

By law, Cuomo can amend his budget up to 30 days after he submits it to the state Legislature.

As of Jan. 1, most EPIC enrollees are paying 25 percent of their prescription drug costs as required by Medicare Part D (until they reach the Part D coverage gap) – but with no copayment assistance from EPIC. Prior to this cut, EPIC enrollees paid a copayment of no more than $20 per prescription and often less.

In addition, the EPIC cut eliminated all copayment assistance for people who become eligible for catastrophic coverage under their Part D plans. Now EPIC enrollees with total drug costs exceeding $6,658 will have to pay 5 percent of the cost of their medicines at the counter. This is very problematic because people who are eligible for catastrophic coverage are often taking prescriptions for cancer-related conditions or multiple sclerosis. Many of these drugs can cost thousands of dollars for each prescription.

“The average EPIC enrollee is 78 years old and takes four prescription drugs,” said Lois Wagh Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. “The EPIC program has sustained a cut that is having a devastating impact on our most vulnerable citizens. We stand ready to work with the governor and the New York State Legislature to find the best possible solution so that EPIC will continue to assist elderly New Yorkers with affording the medications they need to remain healthy.”

The EPIC program helps more than 290,000 low- to moderate-income New Yorkers age 65 or older afford their prescription medications.