State begins program
to offer discount drugs
The first 79 families and individuals who qualified for Hawaii Rx Plus, the state's new discount prescription drug program, should receive their discount cards in the mail this week.
To enroll
Who qualifies:>> People whose household income is equal to or less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level ($37,464 for a single person, $75,888 for a family of four) and who lack prescription drug coverage or have exceeded their drug benefits
Today's enrollment locations:
>> 9:30-11 a.m., Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 1677 Pensacola St.
>> 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Safeway, 1121 S. Beretania St.
>> 2-3:30 p.m., Capitol courtyard
>> 4:15-5:45 p.m., Safeway, 1360 Pali Highway
The programs starts today, but the state started receiving applications last week. More than 100,000 applications were distributed at community health clinics, pharmacies and physician offices throughout the state.
Rx Plus is for people who do not qualify for Medicaid and have inadequate drug coverage or no drug coverage at all. The state estimates 300,000 Hawaii residents qualify for the program.
People who qualify will be able to pay Medicaid prices for prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. That should save them 10 percent to 15 percent in drug costs in the first year of the program, said Lillian Koller, director of the state Department of Human Services.
So far, 88 of the state's 161 pharmacies have indicated they will participate in the program. Koller said the state started signing up pharmacies this week. She expects to have at least 145 participate.
Applications can be downloaded from the state's Rx Plus Web site at www.hawaiirxplus.com. Applications also can be obtained via mail by calling the Aloha United Way's help line at 211. A list of participating pharmacies is available by calling 211.
The state will use its purchasing power to negotiate rebates and discounts from manufacturers to offer higher discounts in the second year of the program, which is why the state is hoping to quickly enroll as many qualified people into the program as possible.
"Getting that card is what is going to help everybody in the program get better discounts," Koller said.
The state will conduct open enrollment today at four locations on Oahu.
