SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — About 20 percent of seniors and people with disabilities who get state-sponsored prescription drug coverage will lose it because of cuts in the Illinois state budget.
State officials are sending letters to 43,000 Illinois Cares Rx participants telling them they no will longer qualify Sept. 1. Those who are still enrolled will pay more out of pocket for their prescriptions.
"This is a voluntary, optional state program," said Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. "Due to the nature of the state's fiscal problems, we had to look across the board where we can to trim programs."
All 211,000 enrollees are getting letters to notify them of the changes. About 5,700 already got letters in error, saying they're not eligible when updated income information provided to the state shows they are. The agency is sending new letters, Claffey said.
The changes mean a single person cannot make more than $21,780 a year to qualify. That's down from $27,610. The base income for a two-person household went from $36,635 to $29,420.
For those still participating, generic drug co-pays will rise to $5 from $2.50 and brand-name prescriptions will cost $15, up from $6.30.
Gov. Pat Quinn originally proposed eliminating the program, according to David Vinkler, associate director of AARP Illinois, so the reduced funding is better than no coverage.
"In the end, we're much gladder to see 160,000 people with the service than seeing them all gone," Vinkler said.
The state's total allocation for the program dropped by half, from $107 million to $53.7 million.
However, Vinkler pointed out that less support for prescription purchases means some people will need nursing home care sooner. Because the program is geared toward low-income recipients, that means they'll likely be on Medicaid, costing the state even more.
John Coburn, senior attorney for the Chicago-based health and Disability Advocates, said his agency is encouraging people who are notified they're no longer eligible to ensure the state has accurate financial information about them. And they should review whether less expensive Medicare Part D coverage is an option.
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Online: http://illinoiscaresrx.com/
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