California Rx Assistance Programs

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

The program is open to all residents of the state of California.

Description:

California Rx Card is the free statewide prescription assistance program. This program was launched in October of 2007 to help the states uninsured and underinsured population with the rising cost of prescription medications. Everyone is eligible for this program, and there are no enrollment requirements. California Rx Card is accepted at over 68,000 participating pharmacies nationwide including; Safeway, Vons, Longs, Raleys, Ralphs, SaveMart, Pavilions, Target Pharmacy, Sav-On Pharmacy, Walgreens, Kmart, and many more. Anticipated savings can be as high as 80% off on some medications.

The California Rx Card works with Word and Brown along with several different chambers of commerce, cities, hospitals, clinics, community centers, businesses, and associations throughout the state in an effort to distribute cards to residents. Cards can also be obtained by visiting the website at www.californiarxcard.com. From there you can print a pre-activated card, lookup medication pricing and locate pharmacies in your area. This Program is not insurance

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, is the main source of health care insurance for more than six million people, or one in six Californians. Medi-Cal also provides essential support to California's safety net providers.

Phone Number:

(916) 552-9200

Description:

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. Medi-Cal is financed equally by the State and federal government.

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for AIM, you must be:

• Pregnant: You must be pregnant, but not more than 30 weeks pregnant, as of the application date. The application date is the date the complete and eligible application is sent to the AIM Program as shown by the U.S. Postal postmark date on the application envelope, or documentation from other delivery services.

  Count your weeks of pregnancy by starting at the first day of your last menstrual period or use the AIM Pregnancy Calculator; and

• A California resident: A person who is present in California with intent to remain present; and
• Not enrolled in other programs: You cannot be receiving no-cost Medi-Cal or Medicare Part A and Part B benefits as of the application date; and Not covered by private insurance costing $500 or less: You cannot have maternity benefits through private insurance, unless your coverage has a deductible or co-payment specifically for maternity services that is more than $500 as of the application date; and
• Within the AIM income guidelines: You must have a monthly household income (after income deductions) within AIM income guidelines.

Read about income guidelines at AIM income guidelines.

Phone Number:

(800) 433-2611

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare beneficiary.

Phone Number:

(800) 434-0222

Description:

The California Department of Aging's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides personalized counseling, community education and outreach events for Medicare beneficiaries. HICAP is the primary local source for accurate and objective information and assistance with Medicare benefits, prescription drug plans and health plans.

California HICAP is part of a national network of State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs (SHIP). SHIP is a Federal grant program that helps States enhance and support a network of local programs, staff, and volunteers. Local programs are charged with directly helping beneficiaries to understand how to use their Medicare benefits including Prescription Drug Plan coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplemental policies, Medicare Savings Programs, and long term care insurance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) administers the SHIP grant programs nationally.

There are 24 local HICAP offices in California providing free community education and unbiased confidential individual counseling statewide. HICAP Counselors are trained to assist you with choosing and/or enrolling in Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Health Plans, filing original Medicare and private insurance claims and/or preparing Medicare appeals. If you are considering purchasing long-term care insurance or Medicare supplement insurance, HICAP Counselors can help you compare policies and explain what services each policy provides. Click on the box for more information.