The EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) Program is New York State's senior prescription plan that currently benefits more than 120,000 older New Yorkers. This year, I helped EPIC+ which builds upon the highly successful EPIC Program. EPIC helps eligible seniors obtain low cost prescription drug coverage.

The new EPIC+ Program expands this coverage and increases income limits, opening the program up to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. EPIC+ can help save on medication costs, even when annual income is as high as $35,000 per year (for a single person) or $50,000 for married couples. EPIC+ contains other improvements as well. Fees and co-payments will be lower, for even greater savings. EPIC+ covers almost all prescription medicines, as well as insulin and insulin syringes. Both brand name and generic drugs are included. The new EPIC+ Program will begin in January and applications are now being accepted.

I am hosting a free seminar on the new EPIC+ Program at the Farmingdale Public Library on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. A representative from EPIC will be on hand to explain the program and to answer any questions. Applications and brochures will be available. The seminar will also include a brief overview of the STAR (school tax reduction) Program, and applications will be available for STAR and other Real Property Tax Exemption Programs. I urge anyone who meets the above criteria, or who have friends or relatives who might qualify, to attend.

Senator Kemp Hannon, Sixth District