New York Assistance Programs
New York Rx Card
Website:
Cost:
No cost.
Eligibility Requirements:
The program is open to all residents of the state of New York.
Phone Number:
(800) 931-2297
Program Description:
New York Rx Card is the only prescription discount program in the state that has established relationships with a wide range of community and partner organizations. Their partnership with numerous chambers of commerce, departments of labor, departments of social services, diabetes campaigns, as well as many area hospitals and clinics, stretches from the beaches of Long Island all the way to the Canadian border.
The program was introduced on June 1st, 2011. Every New Yorker and visitor is eligible to participate; there are no restrictions to membership and no applications to fill out. It is accepted at more than 68,000 regional and national pharmacies. The program was designed as a helping hand to all uninsured, underinsured and insured. It is compatible with all insurances, it will not lower co-pays, however it can be used to purchase prescriptions not covered by your insurance plan. It can be used during the deductible periods in H.S.A and high deductible plans, and if you've exceeded your annual prescription limits. Senior citizens with Part D Plans can also use the program for medications not covered by their plan.
From the site, www.newyorkrxcard.com, you can download a free card, search drug pricing, locate participating pharmacies and ask a question. It provide discounts on brand and generic medications, offering savings as high as 80%. It also provides discounts on additional health products such as eyeglasses, hearing devices, diabetic supplies and more. If you do not have internet access and cannot obtain a printed card, simply visit any CVS/pharmacy, Duane Reade or Wegmans Pharmacy and they will help process your prescription through the program.
Child Health Plus
Website:
health.ny.gov/health_care/child_health_plus/
Cost:
No cost.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for either Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus, children must be under the age of 19 and be residents of New York State. Whether a child qualifies for Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus depends on gross family income.
Children who are not eligible for Medicaid can enroll in Child Health Plus if they don't already have health insurance and are not eligible for coverage under the public employees' state health benefits plan. Some children who were covered by employer-based health insurance within the past six months may be subject to a waiting period before they can be enrolled in Child Health Plus. Determining whether your child is subject to a waiting period will depend on your household income and the reason your child(ren) lost employer-based coverage.
Phone Number:
(800) 698-4543
Program Description:
New York State has a health insurance plan for kids, called Child Health Plus. Depending on your family's income, your child may be eligible to join either Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus . Both Children's Medicaid and Child Health Plus are available through dozens of providers throughout the state.
Community Health Advocates
Website:
Cost:
No cost.
Eligibility Requirements:
Any New York resident is eligible to receive advice from CHA's advocates. There are a number of insurance programs in New York that offer health coverage benefits to adults and children who are eligible. Eligibility for these programs depends on many factors, such as your income, health status, and where you live. CHA advocates may be able to find you health coverage that you can afford, or discounted care programs that you didn't know about. In addition to counseling over the phone, you can arrange for in-person advice from one of the many CHA network agencies around the state.
Phone Number:
(888) 614-5400
Program Description:
There's no need to apply for help from Community Health Advocates (CHA). Any New York State resident can receive free advice. CHA provides only advice and information, both about insurance and discounted care programs. CHA does not itself offer medical care or prescription drugs.
EPIC
Website:
health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/
Cost:
free or at a reduced cost
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be a New York State resident 65 or older with an annual income under $35,000 (single) or $50,000 or less (married). Must also join a Medicare Part D plan (with limited exceptions). Seniors with a Medicaid spend-down are eligible, but those with full Medicaid benefits are not.
Phone Number:
(800) 332-3742
Program Description:
EPIC is a New York State program that helps seniors pay for their prescription drugs. More than a quarter million EPIC enrollees are saving an average of 90 percent of the cost of their medicines. Most enrollees have Medicare Part D or other drug coverage, and use EPIC to lower their drug costs even more by helping them pay the deductibles and co-payments required by their other drug plan. EPIC also helps members pay for Medicare Part D premiums.
NY Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program
Website:
Cost:
No cost.
Eligibility Requirements:
Education and consultation about Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, EPIC, and other health insurance options and issues.
Phone Number:
(800) 701-0501
Rx Assist
Website:
Cost:
No Cost.
Eligibility Requirements:
Each program has it's own rules. Usually an individual must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Have no prescription insurance coverage
- Have an income under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Email:
Program Description:
RxAssist is web based medication assistance resource center. RxAssist gives providers, advocates, consumer and caregivers comprehensive, up-to-date information in an easy to use format.