SENATOR JOYCE ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF
PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE PLAN

Senator Brian A. Joyce this week announced that the new state prescription program –Prescription Advantage Plan – will begin accepting applications beginning January 1^st, 2001.

The Prescription Advantage Plan is an affordable prescription insurance plan for residents over 65 and for low-income disabled residents. Eligible residents will pay prescription drug premiums, deductibles and co-payments based on their gross household income. The Commonwealth will also pay the premiums and deductibles for certain low-income enrollees.

"For the first time, seniors and low-income disabled residents will be paying for their prescription drugs based on what they can afford," said Senator Joyce. "Through this innovative, first-of-its kind program, our seniors will no longer have to choose between buying their groceries or purchasing the prescription drugs that keep them healthy."

All enrollees of the Prescription Advantage Plan will be assigned monthly premiums and deductibles based on a graduated rate relative to their gross annual household income. Members of the program will also be assigned co-payments based on their household income with out-of-pocket expenses capping out at $2,000, or ten percent of an enrollee’s gross yearly income, whichever is less.

The Prescription Advantage Plan is accepting applications to enroll beginning January 1^st, 2001. Interested individuals are encouraged to call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-872-0166) to request an application. If you are enrolled in either the PHARMACY Program or PHARMACY Program Plus by March 31, 2001, you are guaranteed eligibility for the new Prescription Advantage Plan but are still required to fill out an application for the program.

To find out more information about the Prescription Advantage Plan, call 1-800-AGE-INFO, or call Senator Joyce at 617-722-1643.

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