The Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance
to the Elderly (RIPAE) program pays a portion of
the cost of Category A prescriptions used to treat
Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, diabetes (including
insulin and syringes for insulin injections), heart
problems, depression, anti-infectives, Parkinson’s
disease, high blood pressure, cancer, urinary incontinence,
circulatory insufficiency, high cholesterol,
asthma and chronic respiratory conditions,
osteoporosis, glaucoma, and prescription vitamins
and mineral supplements for renal patients for eligible
Rhode Island residents 65 and older.
Individuals with an annual income up to
$17,515 and married couples with a combined annual
income up to $21,895 receive a 60% discount.
Individuals with an annual income up to
$21,987 and married couples with a combined
annual income up to $27,484 receive a 30% discount.
Individuals with an annual income up to
$38,478 and married couples with a combined income
not exceeding $43,974 receive a 15% discount.
RIPAE enrollees can purchase all other
FDA-approved Category B prescriptions (except
for those used to treat cosmetic conditions) at the
RIPAE-discounted price. There is no state co-payment
for the medications purchased in this category.
Also under RIPAE, Rhode Island residents
between 55 and 64 who are receiving Social Security
Disability Income (SSDI) payments and
who meet specified income limits, can purchase
Category A medications at the designated RIPAEdiscounted
price for this category. Other FDA-approved
Category B medications (except those prescribed
for cosmetic conditions) can be purchased
at the RIPAE- discounted price. There is no state
co-payment for these medications. The annual income
limits for those receiving SSDI are $38,478
for a single person and $43,974 for a married
couple.
For RIPAE information, call 462-3000
(Voice) or 462-0740 (/TTY).
A number of pharmaceutical manufacturers
make some of their drugs available free of charge
to patients who have difficulty paying for them.
These are voluntary programs; so each drug manufacturer
sets its own eligibility criteria. Most programs
require physicians to make direct contact
with the manufacturer. Drugs available are generally
those used to treat long term illnesses. Call
the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
of America at 1-877-743-6779 or go to
www.RxforRI.org.
Other assistance programs can be found
by logging on to www.needymeds.com.
The University of Rhode Island (URI)
Pharmacy Outreach Program assists Rhode
Island residents regarding the availability of free
or low cost medications through the Medication
for the Needy Program. The Outreach
Program also provides educational seminars,
health screens, and discussion groups on health
related topics. The URI Medication Information
Line provides information on the use of
prescription medications. Pharmacists can answer
medication questions. For URI programs,
Call 1-800-215-9001.
Some Medicare Advantage managed
care plans offer prescription assistance for enrollees.
Medicare supplemental insurance
Plans H, I, and J also offer limited prescription
benefits. For information on these plans, call
the specific insurance carrier.
