Albany Restores Co-Payment Funding for EPIC Program Members

Seniors in the state’s EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) program will see some relief for at least the first three months of 2013.

The Governor and Legislature restored funding for critical co-payment assistance in this year’s state budget, starting January 1, 2013, but for funding to continue beyond March 31, 2013, the program will have to be fully funded in the state’s 2013-2014 budgets.

Approximately 290,000 New Yorkers 65 and older count on EPIC to supplement their prescription drug coverage. In January, co-pays for prescription drugs will return to no more than $20 per prescription once the person is eligible for EPIC, the same co-payment that was charged to program participants in 2011.

In 2012, many seniors struggled to afford their medications because of high co-payments with no assistance from EPIC, especially if they were being treated for cancer or multiple sclerosis.