- State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) are statefunded programs that help low-income individuals pay for their prescription medications. SPAPs are designed to assist seniors and people with disabilities who have high out-of-pocket costs for their medications, but who do not qualify for Medicaid or other federal assistance programs.
- Each state has its own SPAP, and the eligibility requirements and covered medications vary by state. To be eligible for an SPAP, an individual must meet certain income and asset limits and may also need to be enrolled in Medicare Part D, a federal program that provides prescription drug coverage.
- SPAPs may provide financial assistance for all or some of the medications on an individual’s PDP. Some SPAPs also have a list of medications that they cover, which may be different from the list of medications covered by an individual’s Medicare Part D plan.
- To apply for an SPAP, beneficiaries can contact their state’s SPAP office or visit the website of their state’s SPAP. Beneficiaries may need to provide information about their income, assets, and medications, and they may also need to provide proof of their Medicare Part D enrollment.
- Overall, SPAPs are an important resource for low-income individuals who have high out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications. If a beneficiary may be eligible for an SPAP, it is important to explore all options and apply for assistance if needed.
