MADISON – The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments agency or TARCOG administers a program that can help older residents to access prescription drugs at affordable rates.

Senior Rx can assist individuals who satisfy the program’s qualifications to possibly receive medications that are free or at a reduced cost. Many times, the high prices of prescription drugs are hard to manage — with or without insurance.

Eligible clients for Senior Rx in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties may receive a three-month supply of prescription medications from pharmaceutical companies free or at a low cost, according to Sheila Dessau-Ivey, who serves as TARCOG Director of Aging Programs.

As long as the participant remains eligible for the Senior Rx program, refills will be available, Ivey said.

To qualify for Senor Rx, an individual must be an Alabama resident and satisfy one of the following criteria:

* Age – Must be at least 55 years old.

* Health – The client must have a chronic medical condition.

* Insurance – The client cannot have full or limited insurance that covers prescription drugs.

* Income – The client’s income is within the required limits.

* Any age with a disability — This requirement includes if the client has been deemed as disabled by the Social Security Administration, has applied for disability and is waiting on a decision, has a doctor’s declaration of disability or is in Medicare’s 24-month waiting period at the beginning of a disability benefit entitlement.

* Medicare – The client has Medicare and has reached the Medicare Part D coverage gap, also called the ‘donut hole.’ As a result, a temporary limit applies for the amount that the plan will cover for drugs. The coverage gap begins after the client and the drug plan have spent a designated amount for drugs. Not everyone will reach the gap.

Ivey said examples of medications that a qualifying client with Senior Rx can receive include drugs to prevent heart attacks and strokes like Brilinta, Xarelto and Eliquis; medications for diabetes like Novolog, Lantus, Humalog and Ozempic; and many more.

Availability of medications with Senor Rx depends on the pharmaceutical company’s guidelines for approval for a patient assistance program, Ivey said.

For more information, call TARCOG at 256-830-0818.