Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP): Georgia
The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) is a federal initiative managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides an efficient way for community pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications, vaccines, limited medical supplies, and durable medical equipment (DME) for individuals from disaster areas declared by the President. This program is specifically designed for those without any form of health insurance coverage. Claims from individuals with private insurance, such as individual health insurance policies or employer-sponsored coverage, as well as public insurance like Medicare or Medicaid, are not eligible for payment under EPAP.
Beginning October 10, 2024, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is implementing EPAP in response to devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the state of Georgia. EPAP has been activated by HHS/ASPR through November 30, 2024 in Georgia.
Express Scripts administers this emergency prescription program on behalf of HHS and will immediately begin adjudicating claims for prescription drugs, vaccines, specific medical supplies and limited durable medical equipment (DME) for patients impacted by the disaster.
How Does EPAP Work?
Think of EPAP as prescription insurance coverage for those who don't have it. Enrollment is required, and all billing codes and regulations for filling a prescription must be adhered to.
To fill a prescription through EPAP, eligible individuals must do one of the following:
- Have a new prescription from a licensed health care practitioner
- Present a current prescription bottle
- Offer proof of an existing prescription
Eligible individuals can receive prescription fills, vaccines, medical supplies (including diabetic supplies), and durable medical equipment (such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches) at no cost. Pharmacies are required to dispense the generic form of medication unless otherwise indicated as Brand Medically Necessary (BMN) by the licensed health care practitioner.
Individuals may receive a 30-day supply of prescription medications and medical supplies at $0 copay, which can be renewed every 30 days as long as EPAP remains active. This assistance is intended to treat medical conditions, replace maintenance prescription drugs, or cover medical equipment lost directly due to the disaster or damaged during transit to designated shelter facilities.
How Do I Sign Up?
Individuals residing in the counties affected by Hurricane Helene and who do not have any form of prescription insurance can call the
EPAP enrollment hotline at 1-855-793-7470. During the call, you will be asked to provide information to enroll in the program and access the no-cost services outlined above. Please note that eligibility is limited to individuals living in the affected areas; however, prescriptions can be filled at any EPAP-enrolled pharmacies nationwide if the individual has evacuated the disaster area.
How Can I Find a Pharmacy that Participates in EPAP
To find the EPAP pharmacy nearest to you, use the EPAP Enrolled Pharmacies Locator. If you cannot find a particular pharmacy near you or if you have questions about using EPAP during a disaster, call EPAP Hotline at 1-855-793-7470 for more information.
For further details and resources, please visit the following websites:
Covered Counties in Georgia:
EPAP has been activated in Georgia in the following counties:
Appling
Atkinson
Bacon
Ben Hill
Berrien
Brooks
Bryan
Bulloch
Burke
Butts
Camden
Candler
Charlton
Chatham
Clinch
Coffee
Colquitt
Columbia
Cook
Dodge
Echols
Effingham
Elbert
Emanuel
Evans
Glascock
Glynn
Hancock
Irwin
Jeff Davis
Jefferson
Jenkins
Johnson
Lanier
Laurens
Liberty
Lincoln
Long
Lowndes
McDuffie
Montgomery
Newton
Pierce
Rabun
Richmond
Screven
Tattnall
Telfair
Thomas
Tift
Toombs
Treutlen
Ware
Warren
Washington
Wayne
Wheeler
Covered Zip Codes in Georgia:
30014
30015
30016
30054
30055
30056
30070
30164
30216
30233
30234
30401
30410
30411
30412
30413
30414
30415
30417
30420
30421
30423
30424
30425
30426
30427
30428
30429
30434
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30441
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30446
30447
30448
30449
30450
30451
30452
30453
30454
30455
30456
30457
30458
30459
30460
30461
30464
30467
30470
30471
30473
30474
30475
30477
30499
30525
30537
30552
30562
30568
30573
30576
30581
30624
30634
30635
30802
30803
30805
30806
30807
30808
30809
30810
30811
30812
30813
30814
30815
30816
30817
30818
30819
30820
30821
30822
30823
30824
30828
30830
30833
30901
30903
30904
30905
30906
30907
30909
30910
30911
30912
30913
30914
30916
30917
30919
30999
31002
31009
31011
31012
31018
31019
31021
31022
31023
31027
31035
31037
31040
31045
31049
31055
31060
31065
31067
31075
31077
31082
31083
31087
31089
31094
31096
31301
31302
31303
31307
31308
31309
31310
31312
31313
31314
31315
31316
31318
31320
31321
31322
31323
31324
31326
31328
31329
31333
31401
31402
31403
31404
31405
31406
31407
31408
31409
31410
31411
31412
31414
31415
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31554
31555
31556
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31564
31565
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31568
31569
31598
31599
31601
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31620
31622
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