PAAD - Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled

If you cannot afford to pay for your prescription drugs, New Jersey’s PAAD program may be able to help you.

Is this you?

• You are 18 or older and receiving Social Security Title II Disability benefits or you are at least 65 years old;
• You are not eligible for Medicaid;
• You are a New Jersey resident;
• You do not have insurance that covers the full cost of your prescription medicines; and
• Your annual income is less than $24,432 (single person) or $29,956 (married couple). (If your income is higher, you may be eligible for prescription assistance through New Jersey’s Department of Health and Senior Services' Senior Gold program.)

If you meet this description, you should be eligible for the PAAD program and pay no more than $6 for each covered generic prescription and $7 for each covered brand-name prescription. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for PAAD.

What about Medicare Part D?

If you are eligible for the Medicare Part D Prescription benefit, you must enroll in a Part D prescription plan with a monthly premium that is less than the regional benchmark amount ($30.99 for 2009) for New Jersey to be eligible for PAAD. Or you may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription coverage, and PAAD will usually pay up to the regional benchmark amount for your prescription benefit. Your Part D coverage and PAAD will work together to cover your prescription costs. You will pay a maximum of only $6 or $7 per prescription as described above.

Please note that PAAD covers only drugs that are FDA and Medicare Part D approved and included in your Part D plan’s formulary (except for benzodiazepenes and barbiturates). Also, although PAAD covers insulin, insulin needles, and syringes, it no longer pays for diabetic testing supplies (for example, test strips and lancets).

How do I apply?

New Jersey’s Department of Health and Senior Services has developed a universal application to screen applicants for several federal and state programs that provide assistance with the costs of health care for low-income residents. You may also call PAAD at 1-800-792-9745 to receive an application by mail and for more information.

This information last reviewed 3/21/10.