MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/89764A33/KenneyArticle9-5-06PrescriptionMedications.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" SENIOR LIVING: Prescription Medications Assistance- MAP

SENIOR LIVING:   Prescription Medicati= on Assistance Program- MAP

By Guest Columnists Bernice Wikstrom &a= mp; Connie Hostetler—MAP Volunteers

 

If you or someone you know is having trouble affording= their prescriptions, this article is for you. The Medication Assistance Program—MAP,  assists ma= ny in our community in accessing the free medications offered by almost all pharmaceutical companies throughout the country. MAP verifies the eligibili= ty of the patients, locates the manufacturer of the medication, and assists in= the application process. Over the last eight years MAP has assisted thousands of patients and can easily estimate saving community members over a million dollars. MAP was conceived and implemented because many in our community, including seniors, were finding it increasingly difficult to be able to aff= ord their prescription medications. Here we are almost 10 years later and MAP s= till exists despite the federal Medicare D Program.

In 1997 the late Judy Muncrief was chairing The= Grant County’s Community Health Council’s Senior Life Cycle. Dr. James Skee and concerned citizen, Alex Ricciardelli, had an id= ea that volunteers could assist the area doctors and other healthcare provider= s in accessing the national assistance programs which provide free or low cost medications. They passed that idea on to Judy who grabbed it and took off running. A few of the original volunteers continue to work in the program, = Dee Rogers at the Silver Health Care location and Alex Ric= ciardelli at Hidalgo Medical Services, Family Support Center location. Between those two locations, 13 volunteers are still active. The program has spread out to Cliff, Bayard and Mimbres thanks to Hidalgo Medical Services. We also have folks who come from as far= as Lordsburg and Deming to get help.

Beginning last fall, MAP has had to adjust to the new federal Medicare D prescription drug program. Many of our clients are eligible for Medicare D = and have signed up for plans. Having a Medicare D plan generally disqualifies o= ur clients from receiving our help. However, several pharmaceutical companies = may continue to assist seniors who have not signed up, have been denied “extra help”, or have fallen into the “doughnut hole̶= 1;. The “doughnut hole” occurs when the insurance plan no longer he= lps and the full cost of the prescription must be paid. MAP volunteers can also help as the new deadline for Medicare D is approaching. Between November 15, 2006 and December 31, 2006, those who have not yet signed up for Medicare D= and those who want to change companies will have the opportunity to do so.

MAP still regularly assists those people of all ages who are not eligible f= or Medicare D. According to Melvin Dass, a long-ti= me MAP client, “The program has been a big help and the volunteers over there are great.” Regular clients at the Silver Health Care site may have s= een Melvin filling in at the sign-up desk when all MAP volunteers were busy. Me= lvin now has a Medicare D program that he reports is working well for him but he continues to use MAP for medications which his plan doesn’t cover.

Locally, you should know that MAP is a part of the <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Gila Regional Medical Center’s Auxiliary and our volunteers are generally members of RSVP Volunteer Progra= m. New volunteers are always welcome. The Senior Life Cycle still meets monthly and is chaired by Connie Hostetler who is also a MAP volunteer. To help you know what resources are available in our community the Senior Life Cycle has developed a Senior Resource Guide currently being updated. Their meetings a= re on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30 PM at the Senior Center on Victoria St. All community members are welcome.

MAP volunteers are constantly reading and paying attention to the Medicare D prescription drug program and adjustments that are being proposed. There is= a new service called Medication Therapy Management Services which will provide professional help in reviewing and better understanding all the medication = that you are taking. For details, call: 505-993-9765. Another very important num= ber would be The Aging and Di= sability Resource Center. This is our statewide information and assistance hotline. Whatever your question concerning senior issues, a real person will answer and assist you. That number is 1-800-432-2080.


During the last month, MAP volunteers have distributed updated information = to healthcare providers in the area. We encourage providers to take advantage = of the program and refer their patients to MAP. The Silver Health Care locatio= n is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 – 11:00 AM (956-2359) and the <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Hidalgo Medical Services Family Support Center location is = open Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 – 12:00 AM (534-0418).

Taking your medications regularly and as your doctor prescribes is important and MAP is available to help. Don’t be afraid to ask and let your nee= ds be known.   If you would = like more information on the Senior Life Cycle or the Medicare D Prescription Dr= ug Program, contact Bernice Wikstrom at 534-0549 o= r bwikstrom@msn.com .