Disability Benefits 101: Working with a disability in California
SB 393: Frequent Pitfalls

Not knowing you can qualify for SB 393 because you have other prescription coverage
You can qualify for Senate Bill 393 (SB 393) if you have existing health coverage, such as private health insurance, Medicare or Medi-Cal, that does not cover some of your prescription needs.

Not enrolling in Medi-Cal Because of SB 393
Because SB 393 is available, you might not consider applying for Medi-Cal. Using Medi-Cal can increase your access to health care services that may not have been available to you before.

Confusing SB 393 with Medi-Cal and Medicare coverage
SB 393 is not prescription drug coverage. Rather, SB 393 is a discount that allows you to receive prescriptions at the Medi-Cal rate with a 15% processing fee.

Medi-Cal and Medicare, on the other hand, provide overall health coverage to people with disabilities.

Not knowing about all of your prescription options

SB 393 may not be the most cost-effective approach for prescription drugs. You should consider all of your options before making a decision to use SB 393.

Other options that may be available to you include:

In some cases large retailers with pharmacies may offer the best price.

Many California Medicare beneficiaries do not know about SB 393 and it is underutilized. Many pharmacists may also not be aware of these benefits.
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