ConnPACE PLUS Expands Prescription Benefits for Seniors

By: State: Connecticut | Source: AARP.org

Thanks to the strong advocacy efforts of AARP members and volunteers, legislators voted to reject devastating cuts to the state's prescription drug assistance program, ConnPACE, in the recently passed Deficit Mitigation Plan for 2009 that has been signed by the Governor. The budget cuts and program changes originally proposed in the Governor's 2010-2011 Budget, and included in her proposed mitigation plan, would have thrown thousands of lower-income seniors off ConnPACE and cut benefits for those that remained. Instead, legislators chose a different approach, supported by AARP, that will save the state money by maximizing federal dollars and actually expands benefits for most ConnPACE enrollees.

The ConnPACE Plus proposal (H.B. 6146), authored by State Representative Linda Schofield (D-Simsbury) increases the eligibility requirements for the federal Medicare Savings Program in Connecticut so that ConnPACE enrollees can qualify for the MSP. By making current ConnPACE beneficiaries eligible for MSP, they will receive the following new benefits:

• Medicare Part B premiums will be paid for, saving enrollees $96.40/month, $1,156.80 per year—a significant savings for seniors and people with disabilities living on fixed incomes;
• Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy: prescription co-pays will be lowered from the current ConnPACE co-pay of $16.25 to $2.25 for generics and $5.60 for brand name drugs; and
• Some enrollees with very low incomes may qualify for additional benefits, such as having Medicare cover their deductibles and co-pays for physician and hospital visits.

ConnPACE Plus is an innovative approach that maximizes federal dollars and takes advantage of increased cost-sharing included in the federal Reinvestment and Recovery Act (economic stimulus plan), to save the state money during this difficult time, while protecting and in some cases expanding, benefits for our most vulnerable citizens.

Because the MSP costs, which are partially covered by federal matching funds, will replace the fully state-funded ConnPACE costs, the proposal will end up saving the state of Connecticut over $4 million a year. At the same time, the legislature estimates that this change will attract over 18,000 new MSP beneficiaries and increase benefits for over 20,000 current ConnPACE recipients, providing a much needed “economic stimulus” for low income seniors in Connecticut.

But, our work is not over!

As state legislators grapple with closing an estimated $8 billion budget deficit over the next two years, AARP's advocacy efforts will be even more critical to ensure that this proposal is included in the final Budget for SFY 2010-2011.

Please help us continue to protect important prescription drug benefits for Connecticut's low-income seniors and people with disabilities!

View the full legislation.

To become involved as an advocate on this or other issues of importance to older adults, call 1-866-295-7279 or send us an email at ctaarp@aarp.org.