Lisa Riggs, Psy.D.

The cost of prescription medications can be overwhelming – even for those who have insurance. If a chronic or life threatening disease is being treated, the copay for prescription medications can easily head into hundreds and thousands of dollars per month. There is help based on financial need and also by diagnosis. Some links below.

• Patient Advocate Foundation
  
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance -Clearing house of prescription medication aids. Pharmaceutical companies work with PPARx – apply for aid for several meds at one time.
• Needy Meds Search by state, a list of services and programs of low cost and free prescription programs
• Together Rx Access Assistance for patients who are ineligible for Medicare, have no prescription drug coverage and meet household income and age requirements.
• Healthwell -Non profit organization that helps people with certain conditions with prescription copays and insurance premiums

Most drug companies have prescription/copay relief programs for those who qualify on a needs basis or are uninsured. Patients apply through the company directly. Some companies are listed below. If you have prescriptions, you can ask your pharmacist who manufactures your medication, and contact the maker for an application. If you are being treated at a hospital, you may also ask to speak with the hospital social worker or patient advocate for assistance as well.

• Amgen Reimbursement Connection
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation
• Genentech
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Lilly Cares
• Merck’s ACT Program
• Pfizer’s FirstRESOURCE
• Sanofi-Aventis’s PACT Plus
• Schering-Plough’s Commitment to Care Program

Cancer Specific

• Rare Cancer Alliance
• NCI: Financial Assistance for Cancer Care – National Cancer Institute page on financial assistance for cancer patients.
• CancerCare financial assistance program provides limited grants for certain expenses related to treatment. 800-813-4673