There is prescription help for seniors

Ask any senior citizen in Sevier County and they will tell you that “the old grey mare ain’t what she used to be.” Congress has passed a new Medicare prescription law that will be effective in 2006, in the meanwhile a prescription drug card has been issued for many. Many of the 96.7 seniors in Tennessee that are enrolled in Medicare cannot afford necessary medication prescribed by their physicians. There is a big problem with the Medicare system…they cannot negotiate prices with drug companies like the Veteran Administration can, and therefore costs are significantly higher. Another dilemma that seniors find themselves in, is that though drugs most commonly used by seniors can be imported from Canada at an incredible savings, it is proclaimed by the Medicare bill to be illegal. Seniors also faced what is called by some, the “doughnut hole.” This is a gap in the new Medicare law. Senior who sign up for the Medicare Drug plan pay $420 in premiums for 75 percent of prescription costs to be covered. The 75% will only be paid after a $250 deductible is paid. The coverage falls to zero percent when prescription costs a total of $2,250 annually. Then the senior must pick up 100 percent of their costs until they reach $5,100, after which they will pay five percent of additional costs. This can be extremely confusing for Seniors to understand and afford. How can a senior citizen afford medication and still live? It is a problem faced by many a loved grandparent every day of their lives. Senior citizens who were raised to be too proud to share such suffering. One answer to the problem of expensive prescription medication is found online at www.needymeds.com. This is a site that has been designed specifically for those who have medical needs that they cannot afford. The site is an information provider that directs individuals to local programs, and helps them find programs that can help them. Another answer, for those who do not have any kind of insurance, TennCare, or Medicare is the Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic. These folks will help eligible area residents to apply for grants of medicine from drug companies, so that they would receive the needed mecications free of charge. Contact information: the Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic Inc., 312 Prince Street, Sevierville, TN 37862; Telephone: 865-774-7684.