Some area residents are trying to figure out if they will be effected by changes in the Missouri Rx (MORx) program which were made by the Missouri legislature in the recent session. The changes were made at the recommendation of Gov. Eric Greitens, who cited the need to cut the budget due to a shortfall of revenue. Critics of the change say it left 63,396 older Missourians without access to assistance for prescription drugs sJuly 1 the beginning of the current fiscal year.
MORx is Missouri's State Pharmacy Assistance Program. MORx was created by the 93rd General Assembly in 2006 to provide prescription drug assistance to Missourians in need by coordinating benefits with Medicare's (Part D) Prescription Drug Program. The law included a sunset provision so subsequent governors and legislatures could review and renew the program as long as the need for the program continued. In both 2011 and 2014, the General Assembly voted to continue the program.
In 2017, legislation was filed to continue Missouri Rx. However, the governor did not include funding for the program in his budget proposal, and it was not taken up by the legislature.
The program served Missouri residents who were enrolled in a Medicare Part D Plan and single -- with an annual gross household income of $21,660 or less or married -- with an annual income of $29,140 or less.
MORx formerly paid for 50 percent of residents' out-of-pocket costs on medications that were covered by a Medicare Part D plan. It also saved 50 precent on the deductible, 50 percent on the co-pays and 50 percent during the coverage gap and beyond for those receiving aid. MORx did not pay for the Medicare Part D plan's monthly premium.
The total impact of the loss in funding for MORx is still not known.
Social Services sent out a letter to recipients which read, "Due to a law passed in 2014, your Missouri Rx (MORx) program coverage expires in 2017. The last day you can receive help with prescription drug co-payment costs from the MORx Program will be June 30, 2017. Prescriptions filled after this date will not be covered by MORx. MORx members receiving MO HealthNet benefits will not be impacted by this change."
State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-Dist. 05) of St. Louis took issue with the letter.
"What the letter failed to mention is the governor is the first governor in a decade not to fight for Missouri's seniors by renewing and funding the program," said Nasheed. "This is pure doublespeak from an administration that has pledged to end politics as usual. If the governor is truly committed to his budget, he ought to take responsibility for it instead of deceiving the more than 60,000 Missourians who will lose coverage because of his cuts."
The Social Service website recommends that those effected by the change make an application to MO HealthNet, which may help pay for qualified medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. MO HealthNet also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, like nursing home care and personal care services.
The Regional Healthcare Foundation(RHF) in Dexter offers a Prescription Drug Assistance Program to help those who are uninsured or underinsured.
LeVeda Scates, Patient Advocate Coordinator, said RHF has received numerous calls from residents who are concerned about cuts to MORx and the effect it will have on them.
"We are waiting to see what happens in a few weeks", said Scates. "At this point in time, people are uncertain just how the cuts will affect them. Once they know their status, they can call to see if they qualify for our Prescription Drug Assistance Program."
Scates noted that the RHF Prescription Drug Assistance Program is not a substitute for those who are eligible for Medicare Part D, Medicaid, or health insurance. The program is designed to help provide people with assistance if their medications are not covered by these programs, have high Medicaid spend-down, have high co-pays on prescriptions, or have reached the Medicare Part D coverage gap better known as the "Donut Hole".
There are no fees charged for the service with the Prescription Drug Assistance Program. There are also no resident requirements and no age requirements. Anyone who cannot afford their medications, may call the Regional Healthcare Foundation to see if they qualify for assistance. Advocates work with the patient, their primary care provider and major pharmaceutical companies to receive "free" name brand medications.