Transcript SPAP Chartbook Updated - The Commonwealth Fund

Rizzo, Fox, Trail, and Crystal, State Pharmacy Assistance Programs: A Chartbook—Updated and Revised, January 2007
Trend in Average SPAP Income Eligibility Levels as a Percentage of FPL
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Average income limits across all states with programs increased from 164% of FPL in 1996 to 222% of FPL in 2002
and 2003. All but two states, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, maintained their income limits between 2002 and
2003. Pennsylvania’s income limit increased from 178% to 192% of FPL. South Carolina’s income limit increased
from 175% to 200% of FPL, from 2002 to 2003.
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The increases in average income eligibility levels from 1996 to 2003 were due both to the passage of legislation
expanding income eligibility levels for existing programs and the creation of new programs with higher income
eligibility levels.
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Most states automatically increased income limits each year in accordance with changes in the FPL. Some other
states, as detailed in the table below, either used the annual increase in the Social Security Cost-of-Living
Adjustment (COLA) to determine income eligibility increases, or do not automatically increase income eligibility each
year. As of 2003, Nevada used the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to determine eligibility increases.
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States that do not automatically increase income limits by FPL, COLA, or CPI may face additional challenges in
coordinating benefits with the Medicare Part D drug benefit, which determines income limits based on FPL.
THE
COMMONWEALTH
FUND
Annual Income Adjustment
States
Social Security COLA
Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island
CPI
Nevada (as of 2003)
None
Missouri, New York, Illinois Circuit Breaker program,
Pennsylvania (except that cardholders enrolled as of 12/31/00
received COLA increases through 12/31/02)
FPL
All other states