1,000 local residents get relief from the high cost of prescription drugs 

SAN JOSE – Santa Clara County’s MedAssist program helps combat high prescription drug costs for qualifying residents who have been diagnosed with diabetes, asthma, or severe allergies. More than 1,000 individuals have now enrolled in the program and are receiving grants for the high out-of-pocket costs of prescription medications like anti-diabetics (including insulin), asthma inhalers, and epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPen). The County hit the 1,000 mark earlier this week.

“If you use an EpiPen, an asthma inhaler, or medications to treat diabetes, you need the meds. They’re not ‘nice’ to have; they’re ‘must’ haves. They’re life essential,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, Chair of the County’s Health and Hospital Committee, who proposed the program. “But they cost too much. MedAssist was specifically designed to ensure that folks who need these life-saving medications can afford them.”

“It’s a tremendous milestone,” said Simitian. “We’ve launched a program unlike any other. And it’s already pushing down the cost for more than 1,000 local residents. I’m hoping more and more folks access the help we’ve made available.”

In Santa Clara County, there are nearly 120,000 adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes, more than 250,000 adults and children with asthma, and more than 20,000 individuals who are prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors for allergic reactions. As Simitian notes, “Even with 1,000 people enrolled in the MedAssist program, there are still many more who could benefit.”

MedAssist provides eligible residents with a monthly grant to offset paid medical expenses, prescriptions, co-pays, or health insurance premiums based on their annual gross household income. The eligibility criteria for this program are:

• Resident of Santa Clara County.
• Must have valid prescription for asthma inhaler, diabetes medication, or epinephrine auto-injector.
• Must have household out-of-pocket health care expense in the previous calendar year.
• Maximum annual gross household income limits.

“MedAssist helps offset high out-of-pocket medical expenses,” said Simitian. “I encourage people to apply. The program is designed to help folks in the so called ‘missing middle’ – people who may make a pretty good income but are just getting slammed by these high-cost drugs. Our goal here is to keep you well and cut your costs.”

“The state and federal governments have been working for years to address the high cost of prescription drugs,” said Simitian. “I applaud that effort, and hope it continues. But people need help right here, right now. Our MedAssist program provides that help.”

The application process is quick and accessible to everyone. Apply online at GetMedAssist.com or call 408-970-2001 for more information.