Tennessee's CoverRX program stops enrollment due to high demand

Enrollment has been suspended for CoverRX, Tennessee's new prescription drug program for low-income adults, as a result of high demand, the Tennessean reports.

As of Feb. 8, nearly 21,000 people were enrolled in the program, which provides prescription drug coverage for uninsured individuals or for those who have insurance that does not cover medication.

About 2,500 applications have been frozen, and about 1,000 new applications are being submitted each week, according to officials.

The program is part of Gov. Phil Bredesen's (D) Cover Tennessee health initiative, which includes three health insurance plans to provide coverage for children, low-income working adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

CoverRX was expected to provide drug coverage to between 25,000 to 50,000 people in fiscal year 2007, and $11.5 million has been budgeted for the program this fiscal year.

CoverRX program director Kendra Gipson said of the enrollment freeze, "We have a certain amount of funding we have to work with," adding, "We want to watch utilization carefully."

State officials said residents still can submit applications, and officials will evaluate whether to reopen enrollment in late March.

Gipson said, "If we can support more people in the future, we will," noting space might open in the program if some CoverRX beneficiaries are accepted into other Cover Tennessee programs that provide drug coverage (Pinto, Tennessean, 2/22).