Update on ConnPACE waiver

As of April 1, 2002, the ConnPACE program income maximum guidelines are:

For people who are single:  $20,000/year
For a couple who are married: $27,100/year

 The prescription drug co-pay remains $12 for ConnPACE members at this level.

These are the income guideline expansions that USA fought so hard for last year!!

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has submitted a waiver to the federal government that will allow the state to raise the income guideline even higher.  In the waiver, DSS explained to the federal gov’t that Connecticut needs this waiver to expand ConnPACE and because more seniors will be able to take their prescription drugs, they will become sick less often.  This will in turn, keep more seniors out of the emergency room and nursing homes more often, which will save money in the long run.

 If this waiver is approved, a new level of ConnPACE will be available.  This will include an income maximum of:

$25,751/year for individuals

$34,892/year for married couples

ConnPACE members at this level will have a $20 co-pay for prescription drugs.

USA can help make this important expansion of ConnPACE happen by making sure that the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) approves the waiver.  Call your U.S. Representative and Senator and tell them to put pressure on CMS to pass the ConnPACE waiver.

 1^st District, John Larson                  (860) 278-8888

2^nd District, Rob Simmons               (860) 886-0139

3^rd District, Rosa DeLauro              (203) 562-3718

4^th District, Christopher Shays        (203) 579-5870

5^th District, Jim Maloney                 (203) 573-1418

6^th District, Nancy Johnson             (860) 223-8412

Senator Joseph Lieberman              1-800-225-5605

Senator Christopher Dodd              1-800-334-5341

For more information, please call USA at (860) 297-5154.