HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced $1 million in individual
assistance for Louisiana victims of Hurricane Gustav, through a new
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) administrated by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The program, which has begun providing benefits, is an efficient way for
pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications and certain
durable medical equipment items for individuals who do not have any form
of health insurance coverage and who are from the Louisiana disaster
area declared by the President.
Claims for individuals with private insurance, such as
employer-sponsored coverage or an individual health insurance policy,
are not eligible for payment under the EPAP. Nor are claims for
individuals with public insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
“This program is an example of public and
private entities working together to improve our nation’s
ability to respond in emergencies,” Secretary
Leavitt said. “Over the past year, CMS has
worked with pharmacy industry groups and leading technology companies to
incorporate their planning and unique capabilities into the program’s
procedures and processes. The result is a program that is easy to use
and provides the extra support that some people need after a disaster.”
EPAP covers one-time, 30-day supplies of medications and certain durable
medical equipment, such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs and diabetic
supplies.
With a written prescription, eligible individuals may receive assistance
for essential pharmaceutical and durable medical equipment lost as a
direct result of Gustav. The supply can be used to treat an acute
condition and to replace maintenance prescription drugs or medical
equipment.
For the eligible individuals, the program also would cover, at no cost
to the patient, replacements for needed drugs or equipment lost or
damaged while in transit, such as from an emergency site to a designated
shelter facility.
To assist in the determination of eligibility, pharmacies must check at
the point of sale for other forms of health insurance coverage. Only
claims with a date of service between Sept. 2 and Sept. 11, 2008 are
eligible for processing under the EPAP-Gustav Activation at this time.
Eligible individuals must have a new prescription from a licensed health
care practitioner, a current prescription bottle, a prescription phoned
in by a licensed health care practitioner, or proof of an existing
prescription in order to receive a prescription fill and/or certain
durable medical equipment.
Pharmacies must dispense the generic form of medication unless otherwise
indicated as brand medically necessary by the licensed health care
practitioner.
The HHS Web site is featuring a link to public health and safety
information specifically related to hurricanes at www.hhs.gov/hurricane.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials
are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
HHS Press Office, 202-690-6343
