Massachusetts Rx Assistance Programs

Massachusetts Drug Card

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

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

Phone Number:

(800) 617-2645

Description:

Massachusetts Drug Card is the free statewide prescription assistance program available to all Massachusetts residents. The program was launched in June 2011 to help uninsured and underinsured residents afford prescription medication. The program is also useful to residents who need a non-covered medication or have a high deductible insurance plan. There are no restrictions to membership, no age or income requirements, no waiting periods and enrollment forms to fill out.

The Massachusetts Drug Card has partnered with Veterans Inc., The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (MA Chapter), and Massachusetts Association of Realtors. The Massachusetts Drug Card also works with several hospitals, physician clinics, health departments and urgent care clinics throughout the state in an effort to create awareness and provide distribution sites.

This program provides savings of up to 80% on most generic and brand medications. The program is completely confidential and all cards are pre-activated and do not expire. Massachusetts residents unable to obtain a hard card can visit any CVS/pharmacy and simply ask to have their prescriptions processed through the Massachusetts Drug Card. The program is accepted at Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Osco, Target, Walgreens, Walmart, along with 68,000 other participating pharmacies nationwide.

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

Massachusetts families with children experiencing a medical condition requiring services that are not covered by a private insurer, federal or state health care assistance, or any other financial source.

Phone Number:

(800) 882-1435

Healthy Start

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

Be pregnant Be a resident of Massachusetts Have little or no health insurance coverage for pregnancy Not be eligible for MassHealth (except MassHealth Limited) Meet the income guidelines. Family income must be no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)

Phone Number:

(800) 841-2900

Description:

Healthy Start is a free health insurance program for pregnant uninsured low-income women, to help them give their babies a healthy start in life. The program offers early, complete prenatal care to pregnant women and their unborn children, two months of postpartum care, family planning services, and counseling and referrals. MassHealth is in charge of this program in Massachusetts.

Prescription Advantage

Cost

free or at a reduced cost

Eligibility Requirements:

Massachusetts residents who are not receiving prescription drug benefits under Medicaid and are:

  • Age 65 or older
  • under age 65, work 40 or fewer hours per month, meet CommonHealth disability guidelines, and have gross annual household incomes at or below 188% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Starting January 1, 2006, individuals who are eligible for Medicare must also be enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan or a plan offering creditable coverage (coverage that is at least as good as the Medicare prescription drug coverage) and must not have a gross annual household income exceeding 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Individuals with Medicare may be eligible for assistance with paying for prescription drug costs, also known as "Extra Help", from Social Security. In order to receive this assistance, an application must be submitted to Social Security.

Prescription Advantage applicants are required to apply for Extra Help from Social Security and submit proof of this application for Extra Help (a copy of your confirmation letter or determination letter from Social Security) when applying for Prescription Advantage.

Please note: The legislation which funds Prescription Advantage requires the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to operate the program within its appropriation for the current fiscal year; thus, during the course of the year, the Plan may be required to impose cost containment measures.

Phone Number:

(800) 243-4636

Description:

Prescription Advantage is a prescription drug insurance plan available to all Massachusetts residents age 65 and older, as well as younger individuals with disabilities who meet income and employment guidelines.

Massachusetts HIV Drug Assistance Program

Cost

No cost.

Eligibility Requirements:

YOU MUST BE HIV POSITIVE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM. - Massachussetts residency required - must be re-certified every six months - US citizenship not required - no age restrictions - must be HIV + - referral by a physician

Phone Number:

(800) 228-2714