From Judy Hedding,
Your Guide to Phoenix.
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January 8, 2004

Early in 2003, the State of Arizona introduced a Prescription Drug Discount Plan to assist senior Arizonans with the ever-rising cost of prescription drugs.

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has now announced the next phase of that program: Arizona’s new CoppeRx program. The CoppeRx Card provides:

• Discounts to Arizona seniors and disabled Arizonans who are eligible for Medicare.
• Discounts of 15% – 55% on generic and brand name prescription drugs.
• Income-based eligibility for further discounts available through specific drug manufacturers.
• Will cover gaps in the new Medicare prescription program.
• No formulary – every drug is discounted.
• The CoppeRx Card is free – the $9.95 enrollment fee has been eliminated.

The Governor created the original Arizona Drug Discount Program on her first full day in office in January of 2003. Since the program was implemented in June, about 15,000 Arizona seniors have saved more than $1 million on their prescription drugs. Now that the $9.95 fee has been eliminated, and there even more enhancements to the program, even more Arizonans should be able to realize significant savings on their prescription drugs.

All seniors over the age of 65, as well as Medicare-eligible disabled Arizonans will receive their new prescription drug card in the mail. As soon as it arrives, you can use the CoppeRxSM Card.

The CoppeRx Card is a significant improvement to the previous program, and far simpler and more effective than the Federal Medicare Prescription Program that began in January 2006. “Every person over 65 in Arizona can use the Copper Card,” said Governor Napolitano, “although it is intended mostly for seniors and disabled Arizonans who lack prescription drug coverage.” One of the major changes to the program involves Eli Lilly & Co.,a drug manufacturer. This company has agreed to allow Arizona Medicare-enrolled recipients who are over 65 and earn less than $18,000 per year as individuals (or $24,000 as a household) to buy Lilly’s medications at a flat monthly rate of $12 per prescription. Information on how to apply for the Lilly discounts will be included in the initial mailing. Eligible Arizonans who apply will receive a permanent card that identifies them as being eligible both for the Lilly flat price and the regular discounts on medications made by other manufacturers. The State is still in discussions with other pharmaceutical companies and hopes to add other manufacturer discounts for low income participants as the program goes on.

Any Arizona senior or disabled person who does not receive a card in the mail by March 1, 2004 will be able to enroll for free by phone at (888) 227-8315 or via the internet at www.rxamerica.com.

For more details about the new and improved Arizona Prescription Drug Plan, otherwise known as CoppeRxSM, visit the Governor's web site.

_{All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.}