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Missouri Rx Plan - State Pharmacy Assistance Program

Page Reviewed / Updated - Feb. 2016

Program Description

Missouri's State Pharmacy Assistance Program is more commonly referred to as the Missouri Rx Plan or MoRx.  This program assists low income seniors with the cost of their medications by paying up to 50% of their co-payment amounts. The MoRx Program is intended to supplement Medicare Part D plans, not to replace them.  When an enrolled individual makes a medication purchase, Medicare Part D is the "first payer" and MoRx the "second payer", meaning the Missouri Rx Plan will only pay after Medicare Part D has paid their portion.

 Did You Know?  Relative to the state's median income, Missouri has some of the most, if not the most, affordable assisted living in the nation. 

 

Eligibility Guidelines

To be eligible for this program, seniors must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Missouri resident and intending to remain a resident
  • Be aged 65 or designated as disabled by Social Security
  • Be enrolled in or willing to enroll in a Medicare Part D Plan
  • Have an annual income below the limit which is fixed at 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. In 2016, the income limit for an individual is $21,978 and $29,637 for a married couple.

Note that persons enrolled in or eligible for the Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) prescription program cannot concurrently receive assistance under this program.

 

Benefits and Services

MoRx will pay for 50% of participants' out-of-pocket prescription costs not including their Medicare Part D Plan premiums. The program does not have enrollment or application fees however some participants perceive an added cost since they are required to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan which they might otherwise have chosen not to do.

 

How to Apply / Learn More

Visit the Missouri Department of Social Services Rx Plan webpage for more information or to apply for the program. One can also download a PDF Application here.

Applicants should be aware that their countable assets will be requested during the application process. However, this information is not used to determine eligibility. 

 

The state of Illinois has two programs designed to provide financial assistance to the elderly to help them purchase their prescription drugs. Rx Basic is for individuals without Medicare insurance and the Rx Plus is designed for those on Medicare.

Rx Plus is known as a Medicare wraparound program which means the benefits wrap around those benefits provided by 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.