New Jersey Senior Gold Prescription and PAAD Programs

Page Reviewed / Updated - August 28, 2020

Program Description

The state of New Jersey offers two pharmaceutical assistance programs designed to help seniors with the cost of their prescription drugs. One’s income level determines if they are eligible for the Senior Gold program or the PAAD program.

The Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program, or Senior Gold for short, helps low to middle income NJ seniors with the cost of their prescription drugs by paying up to 50% of their out-of-pocket costs.

The New Jersey Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program, or PAAD for short, is designed for those seniors with less income than the Senior Gold program. In addition to helping the elderly with the cost of their medications, PAAD provides assistance with co-payments and monthly premiums for Medicare Part D, which is prescription drug coverage through Medicare.

Both programs are designed to work collaboratively with a Medicare Part D plan. Therefore, enrollment in a Part D plan is a requirement. Part D serves as the primary payer and Senior Gold or PAAD as the secondary payer.

Eligibility Guidelines

Senior Gold Program Eligibility
To be eligible for Senior Gold in 2020, residents of New Jersey must:

• Be at least 65 years of age or a minimum of 18 years old and a recipient of Social Security disability benefits.
• Be enrolled in Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

Have monthly income between $2,366.58 and $3,199.92 if single (annually, between $28,399 and $38,399). Married couples must have combined monthly income between $2,901.42 and $3,734.75 (annually, between $34,817 and $44,817). Note that persons with income below these amounts should be eligible for PAAD.

PAAD Program Eligibility
To be eligible for PAAD in 2020, residents of New Jersey must:

• Be at least 65 years of age or at least 18 years of age and receiving disability benefits from Social Security.
• Be enrolled in Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
• If single, have monthly income less than $2,366.58, or annually, less than $28,399. If married, have monthly income less than $2,901.42 or annually less than $34,817.
• NOT be on Medicaid (also called NJ FamilyCare or Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS))

Benefits and Services

Senior Gold
Senior Gold participants receive prescription assistance up to 50% of their out-of-pocket cost minus the $15 co-pay. If a single participant’s annual prescription costs exceed $2,000, or a married couple’s annual prescription costs exceed $3,000, then Senior Gold will cover 100% of their cost over that amount, with the exception of the $15 co-payment. There are no costs to participate.

PAAD
This program pays premiums, deductibles, and assists individuals in the Medicare coverage gap. Co-payments are $5 for generic drugs and $7 for brand name drugs. There are no costs to participate.

How to Apply / Learn More

Visit the Senior Gold webpage or PAAD webpage or call their toll free number at (800) 792-9745. Alternatively, one can visit their local NJ Area Agency on Aging to learn more.