FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan. 16, 2006
Kate Philips
717-783-1116
Stacey Ward (DPW)
717-574-5240
Governor Rendell Takes More Action to Guarantee Medicine to PA’s Most Vulnerable, Works to Protect Those Hurt In Medicare Transition
HARRISBURG - Governor Edward G. Rendell today took additional action to ensure that Pennsylvania’s seniors and others eligible for the new federal prescription drug program receive their needed medicines despite on-going problems with the transition from the state to the federal program.
“I am determined to make sure that the problems we are encountering in the first days of the new federal prescription drug program don’t result in harm to any of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents,” Governor Rendell said.
“I’ve asked pharmacists to aid us in this effort and that they provide a five day emergency supply of prescription drugs to those poor, elderly and disabled people who are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage but are still having problems getting their medications through the Medicare program. I also have made it clear that pharmacies will be appropriately reimbursed for dispensing these prescriptions.”
“We do not want anyone who is eligible to be turned away or walk away from a pharmacy without receiving their medication,” Governor Rendell added.
The Governor said the new policy takes effect Tuesday, Jan. 17. The federal government began implementing the transfer of 250,000 Pennsylvanians from the medical assistance program to the new Medicare prescription drug plan on January 1. With problems being reported across the nation, several other states, including California, Illinois and Oregon, have taken similar steps to help ease the troubled transition.
Governor Rendell’s latest action comes just three days after he told pharmacies to bill Medical Assistance for any required co-pays over the low-income subsidy levels of $1, $3 or $5.
“While the federal government works on resolving these problems, we are taking immediate steps to ensure that our residents are protected and that they don’t suffer,” Governor Rendell said. “We are making sure we provide preventive assistance for our citizens most in need and those least likely to be able to handle these problems without our assistance. We won’t turn our backs on them.”
“Now is the time
to act in the best interest of Pennsylvania’s neediest
citizens,” Governor Rendell said. “We are
experiencing significant problems with the start up of the new
program. I know the federal government is working hard to fix
these problems and I’m confident that once the federal
government has done so, they will reimburse every state that has
stepped in to ensure that those most in need are not denied
life-saving medications because of Medicare’s transition
problems.”
The Governor said that the state will be reaching out to pharmacists to educate them about the stopgap program and provide guidance on filling prescriptions from seniors and others. Operational guidance for pharmacies will be posted on the state Department of Public Welfare website at <http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Family/MedicarePartD/>. Click on Pharmacy Cost Sharing Instructions (Interim) for assistance.
Those individuals
having difficulty making the transition from the state Medical
Assistance prescription drug program to the Medicare plan may call
any of the following numbers for help:
* 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227)
* 1-866-542-3015 Medical
Assistance Call Center
*
1-800-783-7067 Apprise
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The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us <http://www.governor.state.pa.us/>.