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Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the American Kidney Fund's Medicare Part D Program for Prescription Bone Medications ("Bone Program"). If you do not see your question answered here, please call our Patient Services department at 1-800-638-8299 and we will be happy to help you.
Q: What is the process for utilizing the AKF pharmacy benefit card?
A: Patients should present the AKF pharmacy benefit card along with their Medicare Part D plan card at their local pharmacy for assistance with out-of-pocket expenses including copays, deductibles and donut hole costs for their prescription bone medications.
Q: Will my local pharmacy accept the AKF pharmacy benefit card?
A: The card may be used at most local pharmacies. Click here to locate a pharmacy near you.
Q: Can the AKF pharmacy benefit card be used for any bone care medication?
A: The AKF pharmacy benefit card may only be used for the medications listed below:
Fosrenol®
Hectorol®
PhosLo®
Renagel®
Sensipar®
Q: My patient requires assistance with renal vitamins. Does AKF offer assistance for this?
A: Although renal vitamins are not covered under AKF’s Bone Program, they are available under AKF’s Pharmacy Program. Please contact the Patient Services Department at 800-638-8299 for more information.
Q: What is LIS?
A: The Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or “Extra Help” established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides additional assistance to Medicare Part D patients who meet financial eligibility requirements (income up to 150% of Federal Poverty Level). Additional information about this benefit and an on-line application tool are available at www.accesstobenefits.org.
Q: My patient may be eligible for extra help through an LIS subsidy. Is he/she required to apply for LIS prior to applying to AKF’s program?
A: Yes, applicants who are financially eligible (income up to 150% Federal Poverty Level) for extra help through the LIS subsidy must apply for this help before seeking assistance through AKF’s program. Additional information about this benefit and an on-line application tool are available at www.accesstobenefits.org. If the patient has been denied LIS, a copy of the denial letter from Social Security must be included with their AKF Bone Program application.
Q: My patient is awaiting an LIS decision. May he/she apply for AKF’s Bone Program prior to receiving an LIS decision?
A: Yes, your patient may apply for the program. Patients awaiting an LIS subsidy decision but who otherwise meet AKF’s eligibility criteria will be designated as “pending enrollment” and will be eligible for partial grants up to $175. Upon receiving a written LIS subsidy decision, these patients may then submit to AKF a “Full Enrollment” request form along with a copy of the LIS decision letter in order to receive an additional grant ranging from $500 up to $2,000 per year.
Q: My patient had money remaining from his/her 2007 grant. Did that amount carry over to 2008?
A: Grant approvals are valid for the calendar year in which they are approved. Any remaining amount is zeroed out on December 31. Patients may reapply for assistance to be considered for a grant for the following year. Re-enrollment forms will be mailed out to all participating patients prior to the end of the calendar year.
Q: What if the patient does not have a Medicare Part D plan but still needs assistance with these medications?
A: Applicants must be receiving dialysis in the U.S. or one of its territories and currently enrolled in a Part D prescription plan in order to be enrolled in the AKF Bone Program. Patients who are ineligible for, or not enrolled in, a Part D plan may still seek assistance through AKF’s Individual Grant and Pharmacy Programs, as appropriate.
Q: May I apply for the AKF Bone Program and the Individual Grant or Pharmacy Grant programs at the same time?
A: Yes, in addition to applying for the Medicare Part D Bone Disease Medications you may also apply for the Individual Grant or Pharmacy Grant programs for medications not covered under the Bone Disease Program.
Q: How often may a patient reapply?
A: Grant approvals are valid for the calendar year in which they are approved. Patients must reapply for assistance to be considered for a grant the following year.
Q: May I fax the completed application?
A: Yes, completed applications may be faxed to AKF Patient Services at 301-881-3311.
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