CHAMPAIGN — If you're among the many thousands of older adults in Illinois set to lose benefits under a state prescription drug program at the end of the month, you have two weeks to get ready.

And don't delay, patient advocates advise.

"There are still things you can do to prepare for changes to your prescription drug benefits before they take effect on Sept. 1," said Jude Love, a member of Champaign County Health Care Consumers' Medicare Task Force.

The organization gathered Tuesday to warn about changes taking effect Sept. 1 under the Illinois Cares Rx program: State budget cuts have left this program with less money and eligibility guidelines have been changed, resulting in more than 40,000 participants being cut.

Plus, those remaining eligible for the program are expected to see their co-payments more than double for many prescription drugs, according to Health Care Consumers.

Connie Georgoulis, another member of the organization's Medicare Task Force, advises the following for those being affected by these reductions:

— Don't panic, but also don't wait until Sept. 1, to figure out how these changes will affect you and begin preparing for them.

— Don't change the way you take your medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist Avoid the temptation to skip doses or split pills to make up for the increased cost of your drugs.

— Watch your mail for a letter from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services informing you of your eligibility in the Illinois Cares Rx program. (Some people who received a first termination letter got a second letter saying the first letter was incorrect and they're still eligible.) Save all these letters.

— If you haven't received a letter from HFS or your Medicare Part D Plan, but are covered under Illinois Cares Rx, talk to the state or local agency that helped you enroll in it and find out how your benefits will change Sept. 1.

Or if you just have questions, bring the letter you received to that agency.

— If you've been terminated from the program, think back to when you applied and whether your income has changed. You may still be eligible and need to fill out a new application.

— Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if there are lower-cost substitutes, such as $4 generics or free samples of the drugs you are taking. Ask for a 90-day prescription and fill it before Sept. 1, if you can afford it, to get your drugs at the lower co-payment levels now.

— Research other programs that can help you lower your prescription drug costs, such as those offered through drug companies or charities if you have a specific health condition. See rxassist.org.

— Check out drug discount cards, such as Needy Meds at http://www.needymeds.org and Illinois Rx Card (not the same as Illinois Cares Rx) at http://www.illinoisrxcard.com. Both can be printed directly from their websites.

— If you have a Medicare Part D plan and are losing your Illinois Cares Rx benefits, you have the option of switching your Part D plan early (before the Oct. 15 open enrollment start) from now through the end of the year. You may want to check into whether it will benefit you to make a change.