Both my husband and I are disabled, ages 48 and 53. We get Social Security. Our medications cost $1,200 a month. Our insurance company will no longer pay for meds in our area. Can we get a break on meds from some drug companies?

Vicki

Prescription drug benefits are among the most popular provisions of any type of health coverage. Why? Because so many medical conditions respond well to prescription drugs, and prescription drugs can be so expensive. When a 30-day supply of an essential medication for the treatment of high blood pressure can cost over $60, it is no wonder that many people struggle to meet the cost if they do not have benefits, and treasure the coverage if they do.
One of the major concerns for Congress this year is the fact that the Medicare program does not include coverage for prescription drugs. Medicare covers not only Americans who have reached age 65, but also eligible disabled Americans. About 70 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries have drug benefits through their former employer or Medicare supplement plan. This leaves 30 percent of beneficiaries to pay the entire cost of their drugs out of their own pockets. Some of these are people on limited fixed incomes and have a hard time with the cost. The presence of a disability further exacerbates this problem, because disabled people might be in need of more drugs than the average Medicare beneficiary.

So it is not surprising that Congress is considering an affordable way to add prescription drug benefits to the Medicare program. This will be difficult, due to the high cost of drugs and the high rate of utilization among senior Americans. If lawmakers go in the wrong direction, the consequence could be the loss of prescription drug benefits already enjoyed by 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries. The trick will be to solve the problem for those who have no benefits without bankrupting the Medicare program.

While it may be difficult or impossible to get a discount from a drug manufacturer, there may be alternatives. First, you may be eligible for additional coverage under Medicaid. Call your state's Medicaid office to discuss your options. Some disabled people are eligible for Medicaid to cover out-of-pocket expenses. To find out more, visit the Medicaid website. This site will also lead you to a Medicaid phone number in your state.

Second, you may be able to purchase a drug discount card from any of a number of sources. Often, these cards give significant discounts at nationwide pharmacies, or even at participating local pharmacies. There are dozens of discount drug cards available on the market, and many can be purchased over the Internet. Search for "prescription drug discount card" on major search engines, and you will see numerous options.

Finally, it is to your advantage to explore all your Medicare options. Call a Medicare counselor at the Health Care Financing Administration to discuss your situation. The number is 1-800-Medicare (633-4227). The Medicare website is also full of useful information.