Texas HIV Medication Program Becky Ruiz, BSW Katherine Wells, MPH

Presentation Outline HIV Medication Assistance in Texas Overview of the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) Application Process Discussion of problem areas on the THMP application TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Help with Medications in Texas Private Insurance Patient Assistance Programs Texas High Risk Pool City and County Assistance Programs Medicare Medicaid Texas HIV Medication Program AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP) TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Patient Assistance Programs Run by the individual drug manufacturers Provides free and/or reduced cost medications to eligible individuals These programs cover HIV Medications as well as medications used to treat side effects and other complications Some of the major HIV manufacturers are planning to start assisting with insurance co-pays Helpful websites: www.needymeds.com; www.RxAssist.org TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Local Drug Assistance Programs Ryan White Funding, Parts A, B, C & D State Services County Funds Local Programs: Carelink (San Antonio), MAP Card (Travis County), Gold Card (Harris County) TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Medicare Federal program that provides medical care for the elderly and disabled Medicare includes 4 different programs Part A – Hospital Insurance Part B – Medical Insurance, individuals must select the program and pay a monthly premium ($96.40) Part C – Medicare Advantage Plan, provides Part A and Part B benefits through a private company, may provide prescription coverage Part D – Prescription Drug Benefit, individuals must enroll in an approved plan and pay a monthly premium (avg. $25) Additional information: www.medicare.gov or 1-800-633-4227 TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Medicaid A state program that provides medical assistance to low income individuals Medicaid can provide: Medical Care Prescription Drugs Health Insurance Premium Payments Assistance with the Medicare Part B premium – QMB/SLMB Income limits are higher for children and pregnant women For more information call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 or online at www.YourTexasBenefits.com TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV Medication Program Administered by the HIV/STD Comprehensive Services Branch within the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Mandated under Chapter 85 of the Health and Safety Code Authorized by the Federal Ryan White CARE Act, 42 USC, Section 300 TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV Medication Program Program established in 1987 Provides life-sustaining medications used for the treatment of HIV disease and its related complications to low income Texans Key philosophies –Access to care and Retention in care Consists of two programs AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP) 4th Largest ADAP (NY, CA, FL) TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Current Enrollment 11,651 currently enrolled clients 10,738 enrolled in the ADAP 913 enrolled in the SPAP 13,108 clients served in State FY08 Program is open to new enrollment/No waiting list Clients served has increased significantly from 5,106 in 1996 to the 13,108 in 2008 The THMP dispensed over $75 million in medications to eligible clients in SFY2008 TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

THMP Eligibility Texas resident HIV-positive Uninsured or underinsured for prescription drugs Low income – Adjusted gross income less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (2009) $21,660/year for a single person $ 7,480/year for each + family member TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Application Process Fill out the THMP application Application and Instructions can be downloaded from the web: www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds or contact the THMP to have packet sent Have the Medical Certification Form (MCF) filled out by doctor Mail the application and supporting documentation to the THMP TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Application Process Applications are typically processed within 2 to 3 business days of receipt The applicant and/or their designated authorized person will be contacted by THMP staff if further information is needed. Once the application is processed, the applicant will be notified of the decision by mail. If denied by the THMP, the denial letter can be used to access other assistance programs Clients are required to recertify for the program (ADAP: every 3 years, SPAP: every other year) TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Expediting Applications In some instances applications can be expedited. This means the application can be faxed instead of mailed. Pregnant Women Children under 18 years of age Recently Incarcerated Special Situations – call the program to discuss the situation before faxing Note: In order for an expedited application to be approved it must be complete and the applicant must meet all eligibility guidelines. TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV Medication Program AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Clients not eligible for Medicare Texas HIV State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP) Clients eligible for Medicare TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas ADAP Funded by Ryan White and State General Revenue Provides ADAP formulary medications to eligible individuals Medications are distributed through a network of pharmacies TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas ADAP Formulary 42 drugs/80 different formulations All FDA approved ARVs on formulary Limited scope-includes 10 of the 14 PHS recommend drugs for the treatment & prevention of OIs – no drugs to treat side effects of toxicities Medical criteria for the majority of drugs Limits on the number of antiretroviral medications a client can receive (4 per month) TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Accessing Medications Medications are distributed through a network of community pharmacies Pharmacies may charge a $5.00 dispensing fee per prescription A pharmacy cannot refuse service if a client is unable to pay A list of participating ADAP pharmacies can be found at: www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds/pdf/pharlist.pdf TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Approved on ADAP – What happens now? The ADAP enrollee receives an approval letter that includes Name and Address of Assigned Pharmacy List of approved medications Client ID number The assigned pharmacy receives the same letter ADAP client takes their prescriptions to the assigned pharmacy and lets the pharmacy know they are part of the Texas HIV Medication Program Pharmacy will verify prescriptions and order medications from the THMP TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

What happens now? THMP receives medications order via fax and phone at the office in Austin THMP order staff verify the client is enrolled in the program, approved for the medications and if the client has active Medicaid If the order is denied the pharmacy is notified, common reasons for denial include: Client not approved for the Medication Client has open Medicaid slots Client is on HOLD TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

What happens now? If the order is approved, the medication orders are batched and sent to the DSHS pharmacy. The DSHS pharmacy packs the medications ordered from the local pharmacy and ships the medications via UPS The medications arrive at the pharmacy, the pharmacist labels the medications and dispenses them to the client The process can take 3 to 5 business days, therefore it is important for clients to reorder medications before they run out of medications TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV SPAP State funded program Developed to assist clients with Medicare following the creation of Medicare Part D in 2006 Started January 1, 2008 Provides assistance with Medicare Part D out of pocket costs The client must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan w/drug coverage to participate in the program TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV SPAP Benefit The SPAP will cover the out-of-pocket costs for an enrollee for medications covered on the enrollees’ Part D plan formulary Out-of-pocket costs include: Deductible Co-payments Medications during the coverage gap Co-payments/coinsurance after reaching catastrophic coverage TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV SPAP Benefit SPAP enrollees can enroll in any Medicare Part D plan offered in Texas SPAP enrollees will be responsible for paying monthly Prescription Drug Plan Premiums The SPAP will assist with all medications covered on the individual’s Part D formulary The beneficiary must maintain enrollment in a Part D plan in order to access services from the THMP TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Texas HIV SPAP Benefit Annual allowable amount per SPAP enrollee for 2009: $10,995 High End Risk Example:   Retail Cost Part D Coverage Period Out-of-Pocket Month 1 $10,000 $4,522 Deductible, Initial Coverage, Coverage Gap, Catastrophic Month 2 $500 Catastrophic Coverage Month 3 -12 $100,000 $5,000 (10 months) Total $120,000 $10,022 TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Medicare Part D Plan Enrollment Medicare open enrollment is from Nov 15 to Dec 31 each year A one time Special Enrollment Period (SEP) will be available for newly enrolled SPAP clients Must give official SPAP name (THMP SPAP) and ID# (SS028) to Medicare/prescription drug plan to successfully enroll the client during the SEP Clients can enroll by: Calling the plan directly Calling 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) Online at www.Medicare.gov TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Late Enrollment Penalty Medicare will assess a late enrollment penalty if a person with Medicare does not join a Medicare Part D plan when first eligible or does not have creditable coverage (THMP is not creditable coverage) The penalty is 1% of the national Medicare premium ($30.36 in 2009) for every month without creditable coverage The penalty is added to the monthly drug premium The penalty is permanent and recalculated each year TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Example Bob became eligible for Medicare on April 1, 2008 but did not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan He later decides to enroll in a plan during the open enrollment period. His plan will be effective on January 1, 2009. Since Bob is without creditable drug coverage from April 2008 through December 2008 he will be assessed a 9% penalty (1% for each of the 9 months he did not enroll) In addition to the plan premium Bob will pay an extra $2.73 each month (National Average Premium $30.36 x 9%) If Bob waits 24 months to enroll in a plan he will have to pay an extra $7.28 per month TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

How to Enroll in the SPAP SPAP eligibility is determined by THMP staff Complete the Texas HIV SPAP Enrollment form Submit a copy of the LIS partial approval or denial letter from SSA (all pages of the letter) If not currently enrolled in the THMP, a complete THMP application must also be submitted Applications can be printed from the THMP website: www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Accessing Medications All SPAP enrollees will receive a welcome packet from Ramsell Holding Corp (Ramsell Public Health Rx) in Oakland, CA, which will include an ID Card Enrollee will take their ID cards (Part D Plan and SPAP) and prescriptions to a participating pharmacy Pharmacist will process prescriptions through the Medicare Part D Plan first If medications are approved, remaining out-of-pocket costs will be billed to SPAP as the secondary payer TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Low Income Subsidy/Extra Help Applications are processed by Social Security apply online at www.ssa.gov, fill out a paper application or call 1-800-772-1213 To qualify for LIS the beneficiary must meet income and asset guidelines All THMP Clients with Medicare are required to apply for this assistance and submit a copy of the Social Security Determination Letter to the THMP TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Full Low Income Subsidy (LIS) 100% assistance w/ premium, drug costs are reduced to $6.00 per prescription No coverage gap (donut hole) or deductible To qualify must have resources below $6,120 and income below $13,784 (135% FPL) Income and resource limits are adjusted annually and are higher for couples and families All people with Medicare & Medicaid or are a qualified Medicare beneficiary (receive QMB or SLMB) automatically qualify for full LIS - Not eligible for SPAP TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Partial Low Income Subsidy 25% to 100% assistance w/premium Drug costs are reduced to 15% co-pays No coverage gap or donut hole Reduced drug deductible ($0 – $60) To qualify resources below $10,210 and income below $15,315 (150% FPL) for a single person Income and resource limits are adjusted annually and are higher for couples and families - Eligible for SPAP TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Helpful Websites Texas HIV Medication Program Website: www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds Low Income Subsidy Application www.ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213 Medicare, including Part D Plan finder and enrollment information www.medicare.gov Ramsell Public Health Rx TX Pharmacy List (searchable by city, zip, or county) www.publichealthrx.com/tx_spap.html TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

Problem Areas on the THMP Application Missing or inadequate verification of income Unclear or incomplete representation of household situation, family members, and/or marital status Invalid proof of Texas residency Insurance/prescription coverage issues Missing or incomplete Medical Certification Form (MCF) TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

What You Can Do To Help The client is encouraged to explain in writing as much as possible to clarify any part of the application pertaining to them, especially: Household information Marital status (if separated, give detailed information about how long, where spouse is, etc.) Employment situation, especially if not employed (written explanation of when/where last employed) Support documentation, if zero income a completed THMP Supporter Statement is preferable or any other written support document or statement TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

What You Can Do To Help Note that additional documentation from YOU (Social Workers, Case Managers, LVN’s, RN’s) will continue to be needed to clarify any unusual or complicated situations a client may be in Applications must be completed fully, no blank spaces or marks across pages or areas, please answer each question completely If either you or the client is uncertain about what the THMP requires in a given situation, please call 1-800-255-1090 and request clarification from our eligibility staff TA Conference Call March 6, 2009

THMP Contact Information Phone: 1-800-255-1090 or 512-533-3000 Website: www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds Staff Extension Area of Expertise Becky 3006 Case Management, Eligibility, Medicare Christine 3003 Recertification Lead Juliet 3004 SPAP Lead Jack 3012 Incarcerated Populations Katherine 3008 SPAP Kelley 3011 Order Processing Lead Krystal 3009 Eligibility Stacy 3007 TA Conference Call March 6, 2009