Fed Deems Illinois as Test Site for 'SeniorRx Care'

January 29, 2002

Des Plaines . . . In an effort to expand prescription drug coverage to seniors, the Bush administration announced Monday that Illinois would be the first state to be tested for an additional $100 million federal initiative contributing to Illinois’ award winning Circuit Breaker Program. This program will be called ‘Illinois SenioRx Care,’ and if successful, will become available to other states.

Within the past two years, Illinois’ Circuit Breaker Program expanded by increasing the income threshold for one person to $21,218 and $28,480 for a couple. For a family of three, $35,740 is the requirement. To receive prescription discounts, seniors pay only an annual fee of $25 and a per-prescription fee of $3, and then the first $2000 in prescriptions will be free. After $2000, the participant pays only 20% of the remaining cost.

Upon implementation of the new Federal plan scheduled for June 1, SenioRx Care will help thousands of Illinois’ seniors, most already enrolled in Circuit Breaker. Seniors with annual incomes up to $17,200 are eligible as well as couples with income less than $23,220.

New discounts include an average of $3 co-pay for prescriptions up to $1,750 per year. Amounts exceeding the initial $1,750 will be covered 80 percent by SenioRx Care. Recipients will have coverage to almost all prescription drugs on the market, far more than currently provided by Circuit Breaker.

Other highlights of SenioRx Care include:

• Eligibility level (65 and over, 200% Federal Poverty Level)
• Coverage for up to 368,000 seniors
• Seniors already enrolled in the Circuit Breaker/PA program who are below 200% of federal poverty level will be automatically enrolled in the Illinois SenioRx Care and have a complete prescription formulary available to them
• Pays for over 90% of average eligible senior’s drug cost
• No assets test or “spend down” requirements, as with traditional Medicaid

“The expansion of prescription drug coverage is necessary for seniors across the state to afford much needed medications,” stated State Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines). “With Illinois SenioRx Care, seniors will have access to lower prescription costs and medications previously not covered by the Illinois’ Circuit Breaker Program.”

For more information regarding Illinois SenioRx Care or Illinois’ Circuit Breaker program, please call Representative Mulligan’s office at (847) 297-6533.