Prescription assistance programs are distinct from HelpRx prescription discounts and helpful to many Americans, especially those with low income who suffer from chronic conditions. Chronic illnesses account for 75% of the money spent on healthcare in the U.S. today. This number is over $1.3 trillion a year and is projected to reach a mind-boggling $4.2 trillion in 2023. To put this into perspective, the federal government only spent about $107.6 billion on education in 2012.
With the cost of prescription drugs rising for the consumer, and the epidemic of chronic illness continually expanding, it’s no wonder so many seek prescription assistance. Prescription Assistance programs are provided by large pharmaceutical companies and also by organizations such as the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to reduce these high costs on the individual level. Most patient assistance programs help their applicants to get their medications for at heavily discounted prices or for free. The PPA has helped 8 million Americans alone get prescription drug assistance.
Getting Started
To begin searching for a prescription assistance program that is right for you, take into account the manufacturer of the medications that you buy regularly. Start by searching for prescription assistance programs online by the name of the manufacturer. For example, if you take Singulair (asthma) or Januvia (diabetes), your drug manufacturer is Merck. You can get started reviewing Merck patient assistance programs on their website. If you aren’t sure where to begin, or you take a variety of medications, start by taking a look at the PPA’s website. They will assist you with finding a program that meets your needs. If you find a good patient assistance program by a manufacturer for one of your drugs, but you need assistance for others, talk to your doctor about using alternative drugs to treat your condition that are covered under your copay assistance program.
The Application Process
The downside of applying for a prescription assistance program is completing the paperwork and going through a tedious process to find out if you qualify. Every prescription assistance program will have its own application. For most applications, you will have to provide proof of citizenship, proof of income, and proof of lack of insurance coverage. You may be asked to provide information about your bank accounts, your tax return, your pay check or W2, and possibly even information about other assets. Your doctor will have to provide information about your condition and give authorization for you to qualify.
Picking up Your Meds
Once your application for copay assistance has been approved and your medication is ordered, the manufacturer will usually send a 3-6 month supply at a time. Some programs will have medication sent to your home while others will require you to pick up your medication from your health care provider’s office. Your doctor will be in charge of reordering supplies before they run out. Most prescription assistance programs require you to reapply each year, so remember to start your reapplication early to be able to reorder your medication on time the following year.
Alternatives to Patient Assistance Programs
If you do not qualify for patient assistant programs, HelpRx provides free prescription discounts in the form of coupons and a reusable prescription savings card. These discounts are available to all and can be used by anyone regardless of income status and current health insurance.
