Testimonial

Ms. Pinkleton (not the client's real name) was a local gas company customer and had been for many years. One of the new policies, through the unregulated gas companies, was to charge all clients who did not maintain a certain amount of gas in their tank a “low consumption fee”. Ms. Pinkleton only used her gas for heat and was very conservative, so she fell below the cut off and was charged the $100 low consumption fee. To fill her tank above the cut off would have cost her well over $200. She did not have the $200 and did not feel that she should pay the $100 “low consumption” fee because she had been conservative. Well, her biggest concern was running out of gas before the winter was over or getting her gas cut off for not paying the fee. When she contacted M4A, we were able to talk with the gas company and set up an agreement that if Ms. Pinkleton filled the tank up they would drop the charge. We contacted a local organization in St. Clair County, and they agreed to fill the tank well above the low consumption cut off. This, in turn, got the low consumption fee of $100 dropped and gave the client gas to get through the winter.
– Anonymous

News - SenioRx

For senior citizens who require several medications for chronic medical conditions, falling into the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap or “donut hole” is a reality. During this gap in coverage, many seniors are required to pay full price for medications until they reach a certain threshold set by their individual policy. To some, the cost of paying for medications is not possible, for others it is a choice between purchasing the medications, buying food to eat or paying a utility bill. The Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging’s (M4A) SenioRx program can assist clients who fall into this predicament.

SenioRx is a state funded program that helps client’s access free or low-cost medications. Many pharmaceutical companies provide assistance to clients, but completing the process of paperwork can be overwhelming for most individuals and nearly impossible for those without computer access.

As with most grant funded programs, clients must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for assistance. Seniors in the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap must earn an individual income at or below $1,805.00 per month (single) or $2,428.33 (couple) per month, must be a resident of Alabama, must have a chronic medical condition requiring prescription medications and must be 55 years of age or older.

SenioRx also provides assistance to two other types of clients; those 55 and over without prescription drug coverage and those of any age who are deemed Social Security Disabled and are in the 24-month waiting period for benefits. The income guidelines stated above still apply.

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