The Emergency Financial - Pharmaceutical Fund is designed to help people living with HIV/AIDS pay for unexpected prescription medication emergencies that arise when private or public health insurance will not cover a necessary prescription medication. Or, when a person has no health insurance and there is no alternative form of payment for co-payments or the full cost of the prescriptions.
Prescription medications may be purchased from any pharmacy, however, for all pharmacies other than Ross Valley a check will be mailed directly to the pharmacy or may be picked up by the client to take to purchase the medications.
The fund cannot be used to pay for drugs that can be fully covered by ADAP, Medi-Cal, CMSP or private health insurance coverage.
ANNUAL LIMITS If monthly income is less than $1354; annual limit is $400 If monthly income is $1355 - $3610; annual limit is $250
ELIGIBILITY If eligibility has not been previously established in the County Database by an agency in the CARE system you must provide documentation of the following to the Fund Manager:
HIV/AIDS diagnosis Marin County residency. Monthly income is less than $3,610
APPLICATION PROCESS
Provide documentation that the client cannot pay for the prescription him/herself. After receipt and approval of the request, the pharmacy is notified the fund will pay the prescription cost. For pharmacies where a check is required, it will be mailed within 5 days. Fund payments will only be made to vendors. Only the Fund Manager may call Ross Valley Pharmacy to authorize payment.
COVERED MEDICATIONS Ingestible medications(pills or fluid medication) Injectable medications Transdermal medications (i.e., ointments, salves, antibiotic creams, hormonal creams) are allowed if they are used prophylactically to avoid infection or specifically for HIV treatment.
RESTRICTIONS
The Direct Emergency Assistance program will not pay for the following pharmaceutical needs:
Orthopedic braces and supports Medical appliances Crutches Syringes Erectile Dysfunction medications Rogaine/Retin-A or other cosmetic applications (unless used for side-effects from HIV treatment) Over-the-counter medications not prescribed by a physician Medicinal herbs Vitamins and other alternative therapies Smoking Cessation gum (call 1-800-NO-BUTTS)
