TO:	Commissioners; TA & FS Directors; WMS Coordinators

FROM:	Russell Sykes/rs, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Temporary Assistance 

SUBJECT:	FS Outreach via EPIC Letter regarding Medicare Rx Drug Discount programs

EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Food Stamp Policy Team at 1-800-343-8859, ext. 3-1469

This message relates to the enhanced medical deduction for individuals enrolled in a Medicare Approved Prescription Drug Card discount/credit program, as introduced in 04 ADM-07.  Attached is a one page outreach letter sent by NYS Department of Health during the week of December 20th to approximately 108,000 individuals enrolled in the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program.  The NYS DOH had automatically enrolled these individuals for the “First Health/EPIC” Medicare drug discount card in 2004, entitling those individuals also in receipt of food stamp benefits to the enhanced medical expense deduction as detailed in 04 ADM-07.  NYS OTDA is attempting to obtain a file of these individuals to assess the feasibility of performing an automated mass rebudget for those already in receipt of food stamp benefits.  However, in the meantime, local districts should be aware of this outreach letter and be prepared to respond appropriately to inquiries by elderly EPIC enrollees who either wish to apply for food stamps or, if already in receipt of food stamp benefits, wish to obtain the enhanced medical deduction.  Receipt of this DOH outreach letter is sufficient proof of enrollment in a Medicare Approved Prescription Drug card discount/credit program.  Please refer to 04 ADM-07 for details about how to budget the enhanced medical deduction.