The Natural Connection

Georgia seniors will find welcome relief from escalating prescription drug prices if a new statewide program called GeorgiaCares launched in early 2003 is as successful as early patient feedback suggests. Funded by the Georgia Legislature for 2003 and operated by the state Division of Aging Services, GeorgiaCares is designed to be a statewide coalition of Area Agencies on Aging, pharmaceutical companies, and health care providers. Its purpose is to help seniors enroll in low-cost and no-cost prescription drug programs. 

Prices for the fifty most commonly used medications by 900,000 Georgia seniors rose three times the rate of inflation last year—costs that are not covered by Medicare. The rapid rise in costs of medication has patients and their doctors fearful that those patients who do not carry costly supplemental prescription drug coverage will have to forego basic necessities in order to purchase their medications. 

Despite the fact that Medicare does not currently cover the cost of medication, there are numerous Patient Assistance programs and discount card programs available at present that can help seniors obtain their medicines at no or low cost. The applications for these programs range from simple to purely burdensome however, and most patients are not able to navigate the immense amount of paperwork required to complete the applications, and their doctors usually do not have the time to assist them.  

The new program, GeorgiaCares, will provide trained volunteers to assist patients with the applications for all discount and no-cost prescription programs that they may be eligible for. The volunteers will also help patients understand and sort through medical bills and Explanation of Benefits that they receive from Medicare and other carriers, as well as provide information on Medicare supplement and Medigap policies. 

The program was scheduled to start initially in the Coastal Region and Altamaha regions in October 2002, including Glynn, Camden, McIntosh, Wayne, and Appling counties, with hopefully all of the counties represented by March 2003. 

To qualify for the GeorgiaCares program, individuals must be over age 65 or be disabled, receive Medicare, not receive prescription drug coverage of any kind, and must earn $18,000 or less annually, or $24,000 in the case of couples.

It deserves mention that programs also exist that offer discounts for persons in higher income groups, as well as younger patients. Some require a small membership fee, but many are free. All programs have a toll-free number that a patient can call to inquire and obtain information, even if they find that they do not meet the eligibility requirements of GeorgiaCares. 

Patients may call the toll free GeorgiaCares number, 1-800-669-8387 to speak to a trained volunteer about the program. To receive a list of companies that offer prescription drug discounts along with contact information, including those available to patients of younger age or higher income limits, please send a SASE to The Natural Connection, c/o Pauline Bellecci MD, PO Box 777, Waycross, GA 31501 or contact us on our web site www.swampdocs.com  

©2000-2003 Pauline M. Bellecci, MD