Area senior citizens could save half on prescriptions

Medicare beneficiaries could be eligible to save half on their Medicare Part D drug expenses through Missouri Rx, the state's free pharmaceutical program.

In an effort to help area senior citizens enroll in the program, the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging announced this week a schedule of 16 enrollment events in Barry and Lawrence counties that will be held in July.

To enroll in Missouri Rx, a person must meet the following eligibility requirements: be a Missouri resident; have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan; and have a yearly income of $20,800 or less for singles or $28,000 for less for married couples (savings do not count toward that total).

Barry County will be the site of the following Missouri Rx enrollment events: July 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cassville Senior Center; July 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Seligman Senior Center; July 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washburn Community Building; July 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Central Crossings Senior Center in Shell Knob; July 21, 1 to 3 p.m., Purdy Community Center; July 23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Eagle Rock Library; July 23, 9 to 11 a.m., Monett Senior Center; July 23, 1 to 3 p.m., Golden Community Center; and July 26, 1 to 3 p.m., St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett.

Lawrence County enrollment events are as follows: July 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Freistatt Community Building; July 20, 9 to 11 a.m., Stotts City Fire Department; July 21, 10 a.m. to noon, Pierce City Senior Center; July 23, 9 to 11 a.m., Heritage Harmony House in Aurora; July 24, 9 to 11 a.m., Marionville Branch Library; July 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., John Taylor Senior Center in Mt. Vernon; and July 29, 2 to 4 p.m., Miller Senior Center.

For more information about these enrollment events or about the Missouri Rx program, contact June Huff with the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging at 1-800-497-0822 or contact one of the local senior citizen center administrators.