Recently, the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) approved continued funding for two of its prescription drug assistance programs, which provide critical services to North Carolina’s seniors. The HWTF commission allocated an additional $2 million to extend the ChecKmeds NC program for through June 2011, and HWTF has also extended the NCRx program for through December 2012.
ChecKmeds NC offers eligible seniors one-on-one consultations with pharmacists throughout the state to ensure that they are receiving the best information and advice about their medicines.
NCRx provides premium subsidy for Medicare enrollees. If a senior qualifies, NCRx will pay up to $29 per month toward the monthly premium of a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan participating in the NCRx program.
Sadly, many North Carolina seniors must choose between buying everyday basics and paying for their medications. The ChecKmeds NC and NCRx programs have provided great assistance to seniors in our state. With the extension of these programs, even more seniors will benefit from these critical services.
Governor Perdue strongly supported these actions by HWTF and said, “The ChecKmedsNC and NCRx programs help North Carolina’s seniors afford medicines they need to stay healthy. The Health and Wellness Trust Fund again has made an investment in quality health care for North Carolina.”
Since its launch in October 2007, ChecKmeds NC has served more than 20,000 NC seniors with an estimated cost avoidance of $10 million. Since NCRx launched in January 2007, nearly $1.5 million in total premiums have been paid for more than 5,000 seniors.