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Published July 19, 2008

Thousands join state program to help cut costs of medicine

Adam Wilson
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/512015.html

With 10 prescriptions to fill, Patti Gee said she hit the so-called "doughnut hole" in Medicare Part D pretty quickly.

"I hadn't realized until I went to the pharmacy. He says 'You don't have insurance.' I said 'I do,' and he said, 'You don't understand me,' " Gee recalled.

A federal program offered through private companies, Medicare's drug coverage typically doesn't cover expenses between $2,510 to $5,726. But Gee's pharmacist had a suggestion to get her through the gap -- the Washington Prescription Drug Program.

Membership lets people buy drugs at the discount bulk rate the state gets.

In Gee's case, her Part D provider was able to help her fill part of the $4,050 hole in her coverage, saving her money. She said she recommends it to friends in her senior living center in Olympia.

"I was having to make that choice: do I take my heart medicine, or do I take my eye medicine and not go blind? I was a bit concerned," she said. "There's people here who monthly have to make that choice."

Gov. Chris Gregoire calls the program an absolute success -- saving more than $3.7 million in 15 months for the 86,000 people who applied for a card.

Eight-year plan

The state has been tinkering with the bulk-buy concept since 2000.

Democrats in the state Senate managed to pass the latest program by a single vote in 2005. And as recently as January 2006, just 60 people were enrolled.

But enrollment is growing quickly, according to Washington's Health Care Authority. On average, membership saves people $24 per prescription.

"We want to get the word out. It is working," said Gregoire, who singled out the program for a news conference recently, bringing in Gee and other advocates.

"I'm just proud to be here, to see a well-thought-out answer to a problem that has been vexing us," Rep. Tom Campbell of Roy said


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