Illinois Cares Rx Plus

Persons enrolled in Medicare must have income less than $27,610 (1 person) or $36,635 (married).  Persons 65 or older who are not enrolled in Medicare and are US citizens or qualified immigrants must have income at or below $26,917 (1 person), or $36,212 (married). If enrolled in Medicare, this program coordinates with Medicare Part D when enrolled in a coordinating Part D plan.  If approved the Part D premium will be paid up to the maximum state rate, which is about $30 in 2010.   If not enrolled in a coordinating plan, a $25 rebate may be given.   Illinois Cares Rx also helps persons who qualify for partial Extra Help. HIV/ADAP drugs are covered if HIV positive and on Medicare, and also qualified for Illinois Cares Rx based on income. If income is over drugs will continue through the ADAP program.

Illinois Cares Rx Basic

Individuals on this program are not enrolled in Medicare.  Persons 65 and older must have income more than $26,917 but less than $27,610 (1 person), or more than $36,212 but less than $36,635 (2 persons) or less than $45,657 (3 or more persons).    Persons with disabilities who are under age 65 and not enrolled in Medicare must have income less than $27,610 (1 person), $36,635 (2 persons) or $45,657 (3 persons).  Prescription assistance is provided for the treatment of: Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, glaucoma, heart and blood pressure problems, HIV/AIDS (if eligible for Medicare), lung disease and smoking-related illnesses, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Illinois Cares Rx Rebate

provides you a $25 monthly rebate check to help offset the cost of your own private insurance plan that pays for your prescriptions. If you choose this option, you will not have coverage during the “donut” hole. You may want to enroll in this program if you do not want to enroll in one of the plans that coordinate with Illinois Cares Rx but:

• You qualify for Illinois Cares Rx Basic or Plus, and
• You have other health insurance coverage that includes prescription drug coverage

How do you apply?

• Application is made at http://www.illinoiscaresrx.com/.
• You will need to complete the Illinois Circuit Breaker application (IL-1363).This application will be a joint application for Illinois Cares Rx, a Circuit Breaker grant and license plate discount.
• You have to apply between November 15th and December 31st each year. You can apply online, download an application from the internet, or call the Senior Help Line: 1-800-252-8966, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY) to request an application.

What happens after you apply?

After you apply for the first time you can realistically expect the drug benefit to begin about 6 weeks after you are approved (it may be a little faster if you applied online). You will be mailed a letter telling you if you are eligible, along with your enrollment card and a brochure explaining the program to you. You will take the enrollment card and your Medicare Care D plan card (if you are also enrolled in Medicare) to your local pharmacy when you fill your prescriptions. Some drugs may require prior approval of your Medicare D plan or Illinois Cares Rx plan before the pharmacist will be able to fill your prescription.

NOTE: Once you are approved you will need to reapply for Illinois Cares Rx every year between November 15th and December 31st.

Additional sources of information:

• Department on Aging Senior HelpLine
  1-800-252-8966
  1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
• Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
  1-800-548-9034
  1-217-524-4872 (TTY)
• Healthcare and Family Services Health Benefits Hotline
  1-800-226-0768
  1-877-204-1012 (TTY)