Does Medicare Now Pay for Rilutek?

By Reza Eshghi, LMSW (South Texas ALS Clinic at Reeves Rehabilitation Center)

This is a request that I receive often, now that Medicare is changing their coverage of medications. The answer is YES! But patients or families must call the Medicare office at: 1-800-633-4227 (Monday through Friday 24 hours a day).

When you call, have the following information in front of you:

Medicare Card
Date of Birth
Full list of medications, including Rilutek, with doses, quantity and mg. amount for each medication
Medicare Number
Full Name
Social Security Number
Mailing Address

When you have given this information, the intake worker will figure out what Medicare plan fits each individual ALS patient. Once the patient is assigned to an appropriate “plan”, the plan will pay as many of the individual’s medications in the plan. The patient will only pay $5.00 for each medication, including Rilutek. BUT, the deadline is May 15, 2006.