Can't afford medication programs

[LeslieG]

Does anyone know about programs for people who can't afford to buy their medication? I know I've either read about them or seen it on TV, but I'm trying to help my nephew who really needs some medication but can't afford it.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

It depends on the medication. I would check the manufacturer's web site or contact them directly.

 

[wendy46001]

Also check with the local hospital or his doctors
we have patient advocates at our hospital whose job it is to navigate these programs

 

[dmbdisneymom]

The website we use at work is rxassist.org. Not sure if you can access it from a patient standpoint, but as long as you don't have insurance most of the programs will accept the patient. Good luck!

 

[erincon23]

Costco has a free program for members that's gives discounts on meds (can't have any other prescription insurance). It might be worth the $50 Costco membership.

- Erin

 

[diesel]

AAA also has a prescription discount program. You just have to be a member. Also ask at the pharmacy. They may know of companies or organizationst that also have prescription discounts.

 

[Ephany]

Costco has a free program for members that's gives discounts on meds (can't have any other prescription insurance). It might be worth the $50 Costco membership.

- Erin

You don't have to be a member to use Costco's pharmacy though, does this also apply for non-members?

Call around to local pharmacies and find out the price for his meds without insurance. You may be surprised who has the lowest prices, many times independant or grocery store pharmacies are lower priced on some drugs than Walmart/CVS/Walgreens.

Also our county has a discount card that you pick up at the health department and other county offices that offers a discount on meds when you don't have insurance. I'd google the name of the county where he'll be getting his meds and rx discount card or prescription discount card.

 

[MN_Gal]

Depending on your nephew's age and income of the household, he may be eligible for Medical Assistance. Google your state's Dept of Human Services for more info on income limits and the process to apply.

 

[delmar411]

has he priced the meds at the pharmacies yet?

We don't have insurance but the pharmacies always find me a discount on any RX I bring in. I just ask them. CVS will scan the local health department one, Walmart manages to find me a discount from someplace and then many meds that even my dr told me would be at least $50 have turned out to be on Walmart's $4 list.

 

[DVCJerseyGirl]

I'm a pharmaceutical rep and if you go on your medications's website (ie-crestor.com) , there are coupons available for discounts. Most will email them to you monthly. Also, all pharmaceutical companies have a patient's assistance program. There are income guidelines, but you can apply on the company's website ( ie: pfzier.com) as well.

Last, ASK your doctor for samples. Better yet, ASK the nurses for samples and/or vouchers or coupons. They have samples of most branded drugs..generics are not sampled. Sometimes doctors won't give them out unless you ask.

 

[ajh88]

I agree with PPs about going straight to the manufacturer's website. Depending on the meds he's taking, he may want to talk with his doctor about more affordable alternatives - some people are able to switch to lower cost medication and some aren't, but my position is that if they can't afford the more expensive medicine (and therefore don't take it at all), it isn't doing them anymore good than a less expensive alternative (which they can afford to buy).

He may want to check out pparx.org - it is the "prescription bus" that Montel Williams promotes. I don't know exactly all the details of what they do, but their site seems to have a lot of links to other information.

Pfizer also just announced a plan for unemployed people to get Pfizer branded medications for free. Here is a link to the press release:

Pfizer press release

And here's an even better link to illustrate some of the programs that Pfizer promotes (no, I don't work for them, I'm just most familiar with their programs!):

Pfizer assistance programs

Not all companies have programs like this, but many do, especially for newer, very expensive drugs. Good luck!

 

[sherreis]

I recommend rxassist.org as someone else mentioned. It will give you the form to fill out and will often tell you the financial requirements to qualify for the assistance. Often times the $ part is 200% federal poverty level. Just google "federal poverty level" and you'll get an accurate chart as it is based upon the # of people living in the home.

The other thing -- is to talk to doctors. Sometimes, they are so used to prescribing what they are used to prescribing because so many of us have prescription plans. If you ask the Dr. for something that is less expensive that will work for the medical condition, there are alternatives in a lot of cases.

Good luck!

 

[3boymthr]

Similar to what PP was saying....

You don't live in a mandatory generic state so go to drugdigest.org. In the search box type in the name of the drug he has been prescribed. If the drug is brand name and a generic available drug digest will tell you. Your nephew can request a generic substitution at the pharmacy and see how much it costs - as a generic it may even be on Walmart or Target's $4 drug list. If the pharmacy can't automatically substitute they can contact the dr. to get an over-ride permission. Many times when a generic is available it's a quarter or a tenth of the cost of the brand name drug.

 

[NYCDiane]

Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

Also if you contact the pharmaceutical company that makes the meds he takes, they may be able to help (free or at very low cost)

 

[Belle0101]

So you have to be under the Federal Poverty guidelines to qualify for aid and have no insurance? Am I understanding the programs right?

 

[jenniy122]

http://www.pparx.org/

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

try this website

needymeds.org

I work at a Free Clinic and this is what I use to find assistance for my patients medications. Just look by the medication name and it will tell you what to do. I love it because you don't have to go searching for each individual company. Everything is right there.

If your nephew qualifies based on income, it might be worth a trip to the local medicaid office. Some people do not like to have to go there but when you require expensive medications, it's just something you have to do.

Good Luck.

 

[RobinFabulous]

So you have to be under the Federal Poverty guidelines to qualify for aid and have no insurance? Am I understanding the programs right?

It really depeneds. Some of the programs will allow people with insurance but very low income and high copays to pay a reduced copay. You just have to check. Other programs will exclude you automatically if you have insurance