Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)
For information, Office for the Aging (518) 828-4258
Toll-Free EPIC Hotline 1-800-332-3742

This program, administered by the New York State Department of Health, helps eligible older New Yorkers cope with the high cost of prescription drugs. EPIC is intended to cover senior citizens who do not have adequate insurance coverage for prescription drugs and are not eligible for Medicaid. The current income guidelines for the fee plan: $20,000 annual income for single persons and $26,000 for married couples.

Current income guidelines for the deductible plan: $20,000 to $35,000 annually if single, and $26,000 to $50,000 annually for married couple.

Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs

The research-based pharmaceutical industry has had a long-standing tradition of providing prescription medicines free of charge to physicians whose patients might not otherwise have access to necessary medicines.

Each pharmaceutical company determines the eligibility criteria for its program. Eligibility criteria and application processes vary. Basic eligibility criteria are listed in a directory.You can view the directory online at the following website: www.phrma.org/patients/

The Medicine Program
P. O. Box 515
Doniphan, MO 63935-0515
(573) 996-7300
www.themedicineprogram.com

Free prescription medicine is available to those who qualify:

• If you do not have insurance or a government program that pays for your outpatient prescription medicines.
• If the high cost of your Medicine causes you a financial hardship.
• If the applicant's income is at a level which causes a hardship when the patient is required to purchase the medication at retail.

To be accepted into the program, the applicant's income must fall within the limits established by his particular pharmaceutical sponsor. The household income limit requirement varies with each program sponsor.

If you are approved and enrolled, your medication will be sent to your doctor and he will dispense it to you. If the program's sponsor approves your application, you will receive your medication at no charge.

The Medicine Program guarantees a full processing fee refund upon written request, to any applicant who receives no medication and is determined to be ineligible for assistance by all applicable manufacturers. All refund requests must include a copy of each manufacturers letter indicating the applicant has been determined ineligible for assistance. Refund requests must be made within 90 days after original application is made to The Medicine Program.

Immediately after receiving your information and fee, we will respond to you by return mail. One of the items you will receive from us will be a letter addressed to your doctor. This letter provides your doctor with information about this program and requests his/her cooperation. The doctor's letter will also provide an access number to your particular pharmaceutical program sponsor. You should read, sign and forward the doctor's letter to him/her immediately after you have received and read it.

There is a $5.00 fee for each medication.

To request a free brochure/application call the number listed or visit the website: www.themedicineprogram.com