Rx plan’s capacity increased

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 10:02 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The state will allow 1,500 more elderly residents to enroll in a program that provides free insurance for low-income seniors to purchase prescription drugs.

Gov. Kenny Guinn on Wednesday said a 6,000 cap is being expanded to 7,500 in the wake of favorable contract negotiations with private companies that run the program.

The state had been paying $1,280 annually for each senior to Professional Risk and Asset Management Insurance Service of Brea, Calif., which administers Senior RX, and to Fidelity Security Life Insurance Co. of Kansas City, Mo., which provides the reinsurance.

That premium will be reduced to $981, a 23 percent cut. Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Human Resources, was responsible for the negotiations that led to the lower rate.

archive