Last week, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services, activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program for California to aid uninsured residents in replacing prescription medicines or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The program provides free 30-day prescription refills and replacement of essential medical equipment for eligible residents.
“Because residents must register for the program, we are asking for any and all help in outreach to survivors who may be able to benefit. Please feel free to share this information widely,” the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response stated in announcing the program activation.
Through the federally managed program, uninsured residents can request a free 30-day supply of certain prescription medications at any Emergency Prescription Assistance Program-participating pharmacy, which can be renewed every 30 days while the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program is active.
The program covers a wide range of medical needs, including prescription medications, durable medical equipment such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, blood sugar meters, and blood sugar test strips for diabetics. Vaccinations provided by retail pharmacies may also be covered under Emergency Prescription Assistance Program.
To qualify, individuals must have resided in Los Angeles County in the federally identified disaster area (see eligible zip codes here) and must be without health insurance coverage, including employer-sponsored plans, Medicare, Medicaid, a plan purchased through Covered California, or other private insurance.
Importantly, survivors do not need to currently be located within Los Angeles County to qualify and enroll. If you or someone you know has been displaced, they should call the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program Hotline at 1-855-793-7470 to find out if they are eligible and to register. After enrollment, they may utilize any Emergency Prescription Assistance Program-participating pharmacy nationwide.
Survivors who are not sure if they are eligible for this program should call the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program Hotline at 1-855-793-7470 to find out if they qualify and to register with Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. The hotline provides assistance with both eligibility verification and program registration.
