Page Reviewed / Updated - July 18, 2020
Maryland's prescription drug assistance program is known as the SPDAP (Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program) Subsidy. It provides financial assistance to eligible residents to assist with their Medicare Rx (Part D) premiums. In addition, it provides assistance to individuals falling in the Medicare donut hole—a period of high out-of-pocket costs for medications under drug insurance policies.
This program is known as a Medicare wraparound program, which means the benefits wrap around those benefits provided by a Medicare Part D plan. Therefore it is a requirement that program participants have a Medicare Part D plan. When making a prescription purchase, Medicare Part D is the first payer and then this program contributes towards those costs the Part D plan does not cover.
SPDAP is administered by the Maryland Department of Health.
To be eligible for this program, seniors must meet the following criteria:
This program pays up to $40 per month towards the cost of standalone Medicare drug plans or Medicare Advantage Prescription drug premiums.
Additional benefits are offered to individuals whose prescription costs cause them to fall into the Medicare doughnut hole. The infamous Prescription Drug Donut Hole, or coverage gap, occurs after the total amount spent on medicine exceeds a certain amount during the year. The insured individual then has to pay all of the drug costs until they reach a higher level of out of pocket drug costs for the year.
Maryland residents can learn more about this program by visiting the SPDAP website or by calling their toll free number at (800) 551-5995. One can apply by downloading an application here. Please make note, if both spouses of a couple are applying for this program, each spouse must fill out their own application.