Gender affirming care IS self-care.

The GAHT Prescription Assistance Program is a micro-grant program designed for Lake County residents undergoing medical gender transition that need financial assistance in order to pay for their medication.

Requirements:

Participants must be:

• 18 years of age or older OR under 18 years of age with signed parental consent (consent must be provided in-person)
• A resident of Lake County for the past 60 days (proof of residence required)
• Have a valid prescription for gender-affirming hormone therapy medications
• Be uninsured OR be denied coverage by a federal insurance plan (TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid or other government-provided health care plan) with no other coverage options available
• Documented annual income at or below 225% of the current federal poverty guidelines OR qualify for Illinois or Federal disability
• Working a minimum of 20 hours per week OR provide documentation of full-time student status OR provide documentation of disability preventing work

ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE OFFERED A DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT CARD REGARDLESS OF AGE OR OTHER ELIGIBILITY AT NO COST.

Overview

This program is open to all qualified residents of Lake County. Once qualified, participants will work with the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County case worker, a no-cost pharmacy benefit provider, and their medical provider to meet the remaining program requirements.

This program only applies to commonly prescribed medications taken solely for the purpose of gender transition including but not limited to estradiol, spironolactone, finasteride, progesterone and testosterone. This program does not apply to needles or related items necessary for administering or monitoring medications. This program only applies to oral, transdermal or injectable medications dispensed by a pharmacy and administered at home. In-office medications requiring a medical professional to administer including timed-release implants are not covered by this program.

Each medication will require the participant to make a minimum $10 copay for each qualified GAHT medication prescribed. The program will then utilize a no-cost prescription benefit card assigned to the participant to apply discounts at a nearby pharmacy. A search for any eligible coupons or other savings opportunities will be conducted and applied. Finally, the program will reimburse the participant for the difference between the copay amount and the total prescription cost. All medications will be sent to the same pharmacy. The pharmacy of choice will be the lowest-cost pharmacy within five miles of the participants’ home address.

For the first three months, participants may use a monthly refill to ensure continuity of treatment. After the initial three months, participants must agree to have prescriptions filled for three-month periods.

The program has a maximum annual benefit of five-hundred dollars ($500.00). Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement within seven (7) days of receipt of the medication to remain eligible.

Program Terms and Conditions

Participants must prepare a medical information release form allowing access to the primary care physician and prescription information for verification. Participants may be asked to provide additional release forms for verification of income, benefits or other documentation necessary to verify eligibility and administer this program.

Participants must meet with LGBTQ+ Center Lake County case workers for an initial intake process to establish financial eligibility. Program eligibility will continue for a term of one year or until the participant no longer qualifies for program eligibility. Participants are required check in by phone or electronically prior to submitting any medications for refill. Participants are required to meet in person with a case worker after any change in medication including changes to dosage and frequency. Participants are required to meet in person with a case worker after six months for an eligibility verification review.

Participants under the age of eighteen (18) must attend all in-person appointments with a parent or legal guardian present to continue participation.

New participants may use a monthly refill to ensure continuity of treatment for the first three months, after which all prescriptions must be dispensed for three month durations. Participants are responsible for working with their prescribing physicians and obtaining prescriptions for three-month durations. Exceptions to the three-month refill duration requirement will only be made with a written explanation from the prescribing medical professional. Failure to adjust to a three-month prescription window after the initial three-month participation window without a written explanation by the prescribing medical professional will result in termination from the program.

Participants understand and agree that this program is subject to availability at the sole discretion of the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County and participation in this program may be altered or discontinued at any time and for any reason. Participation in this program does not constitute any form of contractual agreement between the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County and the participant.

Call us at 847-975-3561, email [email protected] or schedule your appointment online.

Disclaimers

The LGBTQ+ Center Lake County is not a provider of medical services and cannot provide medical advice about any treatments a participant may undergo. Case workers may provide medical information to participants which is not the same as medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other materials provided in conjunction with this program are for informational purposes only. No materials provided are intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.nter Lake County are not attorneys and cannot answer any questions of a legal nature. However, representatives may discuss their experiences or the experiences of others with the court system.