The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will provide $2 million in individual assistance for victims of Hurricane Ike from affected counties in Texas through a new Emergency Prescription Assistance Program administrated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said the program is an efficient way for pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications and certain durable medical equipment items for individuals who don't have any form of health insurance coverage.
To be eligible for assistance, individuals must be from counties in the Texas emergency area declared by President Bush.
Claims for individuals with private insurance, such as employer-sponsored coverage or an individual health insurance policy, are not eligible for payment under the EPAP. Nor are claims for individuals with public insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
"This program is an example of the public and private sector working together to improve our nation's ability to respond to emergencies," said Leavitt. "People without health insurance affected by this storm will be able to more easily get their needed prescriptions no matter where they evacuate to."
EPAP covers one-time, 30-day supplies of medications and certain durable medical equipment, such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs and diabetic supplies.
With a written prescription, eligible individuals may receive assistance for essential pharmaceutical and durable medical equipment lost as a direct result of Hurricane Ike. The supply can be used to treat an acute condition and to replace maintenance prescription drugs or medical equipment.
Leavitt said the program also covers, at no cost to the patient, replacements for needed drugs or equipment lost or damaged while in transit, such as from an emergency site to a designated shelter facility.
HHS is relying on local pharmacies to assist in the determination of individual eligibility. The pharmacies are required to check at the point of sale for other forms of health insurance coverage a person might have. HHS mandates that only claims with a date of service between Sept. 12 and Sept. 22, 2008 are eligible for processing under the EPAP-Ike Activation.
Each eligible individual must have a new prescription from a licensed health care practitioner, a current prescription bottle, a prescription phoned in by a licensed healthcare practitioner, or proof of an existing prescription in order to receive a prescription fill or certain durable medical equipment.
The agency requires pharmacies to dispense the generic form of medication unless otherwise indicated as brand medically necessary by a healthcare practitioner.