A file photo of a bottle of Viagra, seen at a pharmacy in Vermont. New Jersey will no longer pay for seniors enrolled in the state drug program to buy erectile dysfunction and other 'cosmetic' drugs. AP Photo/Toby Talbot
Seniors and disabled citizens enrolled in the state's low-cost prescription drugs plans will have to pay for erectile dysfunction drugs out of their own pockets beginning Aug. 1, according to a letter the state health department mailed to the programs' 176,000 members today.
"Cosmetic drugs" that treat obesity, hair loss or minor skin conditions, as well as vitamins and cold medicines, also will no longer be covered by Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled and Senior Gold, the state programs that supplement the Medicare prescription drug plan.
The state targeted these medications because Medicare, the federally funded health care program for the elderly, doesn't cover them, Health and Senior Services spokeswoman Donna Leusner said.
Nixing the impotency and cosmetic drugs will save the state $3.3 million, according to the state budget. The state will save another $1.4 million by switching members from prescription medications not on Medicare's approved drug list to comparable drugs that Medicare will accept, Leusner said. [rc]
© 2009 New Jersey On-Line LLC.
July 15, 2009
USA: Seniors, please buy your own Viagra, New Jersey will no longer pay for it
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NEW JERSEY, NY / New Jersey Online / July 15, 2009
N.J. to cease coverage of impotency drugs for seniors enrolled in state prescription plan
By Susan K. Livio/Statehouse Bureau
A file photo of a bottle of Viagra, seen at a pharmacy in Vermont. New Jersey will no longer pay for seniors enrolled in the state drug program to buy erectile dysfunction and other 'cosmetic' drugs. AP Photo/Toby Talbot
Seniors and disabled citizens enrolled in the state's low-cost prescription drugs plans will have to pay for erectile dysfunction drugs out of their own pockets beginning Aug. 1, according to a letter the state health department mailed to the programs' 176,000 members today.
"Cosmetic drugs" that treat obesity, hair loss or minor skin conditions, as well as vitamins and cold medicines, also will no longer be covered by Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled and Senior Gold, the state programs that supplement the Medicare prescription drug plan.
The state targeted these medications because Medicare, the federally funded health care program for the elderly, doesn't cover them, Health and Senior Services spokeswoman Donna Leusner said.
Nixing the impotency and cosmetic drugs will save the state $3.3 million, according to the state budget. The state will save another $1.4 million by switching members from prescription medications not on Medicare's approved drug list to comparable drugs that Medicare will accept, Leusner said. [rc]
© 2009 New Jersey On-Line LLC.
A file photo of a bottle of Viagra, seen at a pharmacy in Vermont. New Jersey will no longer pay for seniors enrolled in the state drug program to buy erectile dysfunction and other 'cosmetic' drugs. AP Photo/Toby Talbot
Seniors and disabled citizens enrolled in the state's low-cost prescription drugs plans will have to pay for erectile dysfunction drugs out of their own pockets beginning Aug. 1, according to a letter the state health department mailed to the programs' 176,000 members today.
"Cosmetic drugs" that treat obesity, hair loss or minor skin conditions, as well as vitamins and cold medicines, also will no longer be covered by Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled and Senior Gold, the state programs that supplement the Medicare prescription drug plan.
The state targeted these medications because Medicare, the federally funded health care program for the elderly, doesn't cover them, Health and Senior Services spokeswoman Donna Leusner said.
Nixing the impotency and cosmetic drugs will save the state $3.3 million, according to the state budget. The state will save another $1.4 million by switching members from prescription medications not on Medicare's approved drug list to comparable drugs that Medicare will accept, Leusner said. [rc]
© 2009 New Jersey On-Line LLC.
