Page 42 - Mended Hearts-HeartGuide

Get Help Paying for Your Medicine
Let’s face it: heart medications can be expensive. This is a common reason
many people don’t take them as directed. The good news is that help may
be available.
Health Insurance and Government Assistance
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private health plans offered through
the health insurance marketplace must cover the same set of 10 essential health
benefits, and prescription drug coverage is one of them (learn more at
www.healthcare.gov).
For those who qualify for Medicare, the ACA reduced prescription drug costs
available under the Medicare Part D program (learn more at www.medicare.
gov/part-d and www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/careact.pdf).
Medicare beneficiaries may also qualify for the Extra Help program, which
assists individuals in paying for their Medicare prescription drug plan costs.
Under this Social Security Administration program, qualifying beneficiaries
may receive assistance worth up to $4,000 per year. Learn more at www.ssa.
gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp.
Resources
ƒƒ NeedyMeds.org – This site offers an array of information about private

and government prescription assistance. It also provides a comprehensive
database of free and low-cost prescription medicine programs, a drug
discount mobile phone app, and more.
ƒƒ GoodRx.com – Among other tools, this site lets you compare prices for
government-approved prescription drugs offered at most U.S. pharmacies.
Discounts and Assistance
Check to see if your supermarket or pharmacy offers discount cards or generic
medications at a lower price than your health plan co-payment. Check the
pharmacy’s website and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you could benefit
from discounts.

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