Officials want to get the word out about a drug coverage plan that wraps around Medicare Part D to provide coverage inside the "doughnut hole" and beyond.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Deborah Scott of the Missouri Division of Social Services, representatives from the Area Agency on Aging and others came to the Cape Girardeau Public Library Tuesday as part of a statewide tour to tout the Missouri Rx Plan.

"The availability of affordable prescription drugs is the cornerstone of a healthy state," Kinder said. "And as Missouri's official Senior Advocate it is important to me that Missourians maintain their health by having access to the prescription drugs they need."

MoRx, unveiled in January, pays 50 percent of most out-of-pocket prescription costs to qualified senior citizens and people with disabilities.

To qualify, beneficiaries must have an annual income of $19,600 or less if applying as an individual or $26,400 or less combined if applying as a married household.

The plan does not cover any monthly premium costs but pays for half of the deductible, co-pays and doughnut hole gap expenses.

Doughnut hole is a term used to describe a gap in coverage for most plans under the federal Medicare Prescription Part D benefit. Patients using these plans typically pay 100 percent of prescription costs between $2,250 and $5,100.

"It is quite unlike Medicare Part D," said Kinder, "which is intimidating and complex. In our program, a simple, one-page application is all that is required." He added that the program has no enrollment fee or monthly fee or premium. To date, 165,500 eligible people have signed up and have saved more than $4.5 million, according to figures cited by Kinder. On this trip the speakers hoped to beat the bushes to encourage some of the remaining eligible people to register.

The program's annual budget of $20 million can support 50,000 to 60,000 more people under its umbrella. Sign-ups for those wishing to switch plans under Medicare Part D began Nov. 15.

Those interested in learning more about MoRx can call (800) 375-1406 or view information online at morx.mo.gov.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245