Texas Cares

The Texas Cares program was created in 2003 to help to elderly and disabled Texas consumers gain access to prescription assistance programs offered by prescription drug manufacturers and to provide information and tips in spending consumer dollars on prescriptions.. This program is administered by the Texas State Unit on Aging and has 28 area agencies throughout Texas. To find an agency near you contact the Texas State Unit on Aging at PO Box 12786, Austin, Texas 78711 or phone (512) 438-3200.

You may be able to get help obtaining your prescription drugs from programs offered by prescription drug manufacturers. Eligibility is determined by the prescription drug manufacturers on a case-by-case basis. There are two main manufacturer sponsored prescription assistance programs.

Patient Assistance Programs are offered by several pharmaceutical companies and provide a free limited supply of certain prescription drugs to eligible individuals. Eligibility is usually based on federal poverty guidelines

The manufacturer sponsored Prescription Discount Card Programs allow eligible individuals to purchase some prescription drugs at a discount or with a small co-pay. To be eligible, individuals must be Medicare recipients, meet income eligibility criteria, and have no other form of prescription drug coverage.

Besides the two programs mentioned above, many private organizations and businesses offer prescription drug discount cards. These discount cards are not approved by the Medicare program, but they may offer better discounts or discounts equal to the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Cards. Read the terms carefully as each card will have its own benefits. Most do not allow use of multiple discounts on the same prescription.

Non-Medicare drug discount cards are not required to be licensed by any government agency, so ask questions. For every legitimate discount card out there, there is a scam artist trying to sell you one that gives you nothing for your money. Even for the honest ones you need to know exactly what benefits the card offers to you, the consumer. Compare costs and benefits of several offers before you buy one. Costs and the benefits vary widely. Most non-Medicare discount cards cost less than $30. Don't pay more unless there is a real additional benefit you need such as dental care or eyeglasses. If you believe a discount card's practices are unfair or deceptive, contact the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hot line at 1-800-621-0508.