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Frequently Asked Questions.

Please click on the blue links for answers to your questions. If you do not find answers to your questions, please contact us.

What is...

Patient Assistance Program?
Generic Medications?
Medicare Prescripton Drug Plan (Part D)?
Medicare?
Medicaid?
Food Stamps?
CHIP?
Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women?
Sales Tax on Food Refund Program?
Application Assistance?

Who is eligible for...

Patient Assistance Program?
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)?
Medicare?
Medicaid?
Food Stamps?
CHIP?
Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women?
Sales Tax on Food Refund Program?
Application Assistance?

How do I apply for...

Patient Assistance Programs?
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)?
Medicare?
Medicaid?
Food Stamps?
CHIP?
Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women?
Sales Tax on Food Refund Program?
Application Assistance Program?

What are the Benefits of...

Generic Drugs?

 

Q) What is a Patient Assistance Program?
A)

A Patient Assistance Program is a program sponsored by a pharmaceutical manufacturer.  These programs strive to provide medications to individuals who can not afford them and have no prescription coverage through private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare.  Eligibility and application requirements vary by company so an applicant typically has to apply to each program separately.  To find a list of manufacturers and medications available click here.

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Q) What are Generic Medications?
A)

Generic medications contain the same active ingredient as their brand name equivalent at a fraction of the cost.  They also produce the same effect on the body as the brand name.  The Food and Drug Administration assures that all drugs, both brand name and generic, marketed in the United States meet requirements for quality, strength, purity and potency.

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Q) What is Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)? 
A)

Part D is prescription drug coverage for anyone who is entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B.  To learn more about Medicare Part D click here.

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Q) What is Medicare? 
A)

Medicare:  Medicare is federal health insurance for people who are 65 years of age and older, any age with end stage renal (kidney) disease or Lou Gehrigs’s Disease (ALS), or individuals disabled and entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits (24 month waiting period).  Medicare has four different “parts”:

    1. Part A covers inpatient hospital services and short term care in a skilled nursing facility after hospitalization, home health care and hospice care.  Most people are entitled to premium free Part A due to Medicare taxes paid while working.
    2. Part B is supplementary medical insurance and covers physician and outpatient medical services.  Everyone enrolled in Medicare Part B must pay a premium.
    3. Part C is known as Medicare Advantage.  You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.  Coverage is through a private health plan such as a health maintenance organization (HMO), private fee-for-service (PFFS) or local preferred provider organization (PPO).
    4. Part D is prescription drug coverage for anyone who is entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B.

   To learn more about Medicare click here.

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Q) What is Medicaid? 
A)

Medicaid (Medical Assistance):  Medicaid is a federal and state-funded program that provides medical coverage for people who meet certain eligibility standards. If you are eligible, Medicaid will act as your insurance company and pay for medical services such as visits to the doctor, hospital, dentist, chiropractor, etc.  To learn more about Medicaid click here.

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Q) What is Food Stamps?
A)

Food Stamps:  The Food Stamp Program helps low-income South Dakotans buy the food they need to stay healthy while they work to regain financial independence. Food stamp benefits are provided to supplement the recipient’s food budget. The amount of benefits a household receives is based on its size and income.  To learn more about the Food Stamp Program click here.

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Q) What is CHIP? 
A)

CHIP:  The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free health insurance to South Dakota children who meet certain eligibility guidelines. CHIP covers doctor appointments, hospital stays, dental and vision services, prescription drugs, mental health care and other medical services.   To learn more about CHIP click here.

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Q) What is Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women?
A)

Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women: Pregnant women who meet eligibility requirements for this program are entitled to Medical Assistance.  Covered services include doctor appointments, hospital stays, dental and vision services, prescription drugs, rehab/therapy, chiropractic, etc. Medical Assistance may begin up to three months prior to the month the application is received if the person received medical services and if they would have been eligible for assistance. The start of medical coverage is based on the date the application is received in the Social Services office which serves your county.  To learn more about Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women click here.

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Q) What is Sales Tax on Food Refund Program?
A)

Sales Tax on Food Refund Program:  The Sales Tax on Food Refund Program helps low-income families stretch their food dollars. The program provides refunds of sales tax payments on food to South Dakota residents who qualify for the program.  To learn more about the Sales tax on Food Refund click here.

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Q) What is Application Assistance?
A)

Application Assistance:  Application Assistance provides assistance to individuals who want help in filling out patient assistance program applications.  To learn more about Application Assistance click here.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Patient Assistance Program?
A)

Patient Assistance Program:  Eligibility and application requirements vary by company so an applicant typically has to apply to each program separately.  To find a list of manufacturers and medications available click here.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)? 
A)

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D):  Part D is prescription drug coverage for anyone who is entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B.  To learn more about Medicare Part D click here.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Medicare?
A)

Medicare:  Medicare is federal health insurance for people who are 65 years of age and older, any age with end stage renal (kidney) disease or Lou Gehrigs’s Disease (ALS), or individuals disabled and entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits (24 month waiting period).  To learn more about Medicare click here.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Medicaid? 
A)

Medicaid (Medical Assistance):  Whether or not you qualify for Medical Assistance will depend on your income and circumstances. To learn more about Medical Assistance programs to apply, visit the Medical Eligibility Web site.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Food Stamps
A)

Food Stamps:  Eligibility for food stamp benefits is usually based on gross and net income (for families with at least one elderly or disabled member, just net income). The amount of benefits received is determined by household size and adjusted gross income with certain exemptions.  To learn more about food stamp eligibility click here.

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Q) Who is Eligible for CHIP? 
A)

CHIP:  CHIP provides health insurance coverage to uninsured children whose family income is up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (monthly income of $3,225 for a family of four). Children who already have private health insurance may also be eligible for CHIP paying deductibles, co-payments and other medical services not covered by their private policy. To learn more about South Dakota's CHIP program, click here for a list of frequently asked questions.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women?
A)

Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women:  This program has varying levels of coverage based on income.  Click here to learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women Program.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Sales Tax on Food Refund Program?
A)

Sales Tax on Food Refund Program:  Your household’s gross monthly income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.  To view these monthly income levels click here.

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Q) Who is Eligible for Application Assistance?
A)

Application Assistance:  Individuals must meet certain income guidelines and have no private, state, or federal prescription coverage.  In addition applicants must be South Dakota residents.  To view the full eligibility guidelines click here.

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Q) What are the Benefits of Generic Drugs?
A)

Generic Drugs:  Generic medications are much less costly than brand name medications.  Generics work the same way and do the same thing as brand name medications.  Click here to learn more about generic medications.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Patient Assistance Program?
A)

Patient Assistance Programs:  You can obtain applications to the various patient assistance programs at NeedyMeds.com or Partnership for Prescription Assistance.  You can also apply for assistance with this process through the Application Assistance portion of RxAccess.  To apply for Application Assistance click here.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)? 
A)

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D):  For assistance enrolling in a Part D plan you may call the South Dakota SHIINE program at 1-800-536-8197.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Medicare? 
A)

Medicare:  To enroll in Medicare contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.  To find answers to your enrollment questions click here.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Medicaid? 
A)

Medicaid (Medical Assistance):  To apply, visit the Medical Eligibility Web site.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Food Stamps
A)

Food Stamps:  The Food Stamp Application is available online. Applicants can either complete the form on their computer and print it for mailing or they can print the form to complete by hand. In addition to completing the form, applicants must still have an interview with a caseworker at their local Social Services office and provide required verifications. To access the Food Stamp Application online, click here.

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Q) How Do I Apply for CHIP? 
A)

CHIP:  To apply for CHIP, you must complete an application and return it to your local DSS office. You will need Acrobat Reader 6.0 or greater to access this form. If you need to install this software on your computer, click here. This is a free download.

    •  To complete this form on your computer and print it for mailing, click here.
    •  If you prefer to print this form to complete by hand, click here.

If you need assistance filling out the application or have questions, contact your local DSS office. For more information, you can also call this toll free number: 1-800-305-3064.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women?
A)

Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women:  To apply for Medical Assistance, you must complete an application and return it to your local DSS office. You will need Acrobat Reader 6.0 or greater to access this form. If you need to install this software on your computer, click here. This is a free download.

  • To complete this form on your computer and print it for mailing, click here.
  • If you prefer to print this form to complete by hand, click here.

If you need assistance filling out the application or have questions, contact your local DSS office. For more information, you can also call this toll free number: 1-800-305-3064.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Sales Tax on Food Refund Program?
A)

Sales Tax on Food Refund Program:  The application form for the Sales Tax on Food Refund Program is available online and easy to complete. The only information we ask is what is needed to find out if you are eligible. You will need Acrobat Reader 6.0 or greater to access this form. If you need to install this software on your computer, click here. This is a free download.

  • To complete this form on your computer and print it for mailing  click here.
  • If you prefer to print this form to complete by hand, click here.

You can request an application be mailed to you by calling (605) 773-4105 or toll-free at 1-866-674-0543. Applications are also available at all local Social Services offices and may also be available at local community agencies in your area.
For instructions on completing the application, click here.

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Q) How Do I Apply for Application Assistance?
A)

Application Assistance:  You may apply online or you may call 1-866-854-5465 toll-free to request an application be mailed to you.

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