Poolman Announces $11 Million in Prescription Assistance Posted on 10/6/2006
~Prescription Connection is Working for North Dakota~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Poolman
October 6, 2006
701-328-2440
Bismarck, ND - Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman today announced that the Prescription Connection for ND program, which was launched in December 2003, has saved consumers an estimated $11 million and has helped nearly 18,000 people since the program's inception. The program was created to connect low income North Dakotans with free and reduced cost prescription drugs.
Poolman said, "With the support of the legislature, Prescription Connection has delivered substantial and meaningful savings for consumers across North Dakota." Representative Bill Devlin, R-Finley, was the prime sponsor of the bill that created the program. Other sponsors were Senators Judy Lee, R-West Fargo and Tom Fischer, R-Fargo and Representatives Jon Nelson, R-Wolford, Clara Sue Price, R-Minot, and Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood.
"Prescription Connection is working for North Dakota. We are connecting people of all age groups across the state with free and reduced cost medications," Devlin said.
Prescription Connection connects applicants with the many prescription assistance programs (PAPs) that are offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Every program has its own eligibility criteria. Program staff assist with every aspect of the application process, making it tremendously easy to access the programs.
In addition, increasing numbers of Medicare beneficiaries are entering the "donut hole", which is the coverage gap where the beneficiary is completely responsible for their prescription expenses.
Poolman said, "Prescription Connection, and the assistance it provides, is now more important than ever because it is able to assist Medicare beneficiaries who are participating in Medicare Part D and are in the donut hole."
Further, some programs will consider assistance for people that are Medicare-eligible if a particular prescription is not covered under their Part D plan. Other programs will cover if the applicant is not eligible for extra help.
"Our advice to people is simple-if an individual is having difficulty paying for their prescriptions, regardless of Medicare eligibility or whether they are signed up for Part D, the individual should contact Prescription Connection for ND."
Prescription Connection for ND is available to assist applicants one-on-one, with all the application paperwork. Interested people should contact the Prescription Connection for ND program toll-free at 1.888.575.6611 or visit our website at www.rxconnectnd.org.
