Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs - Free or Low Cost Medications
by: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Having a tough time stretching your budget to pay for expensive medications? A Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Program may help.
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Several drug companies provide prescription medicines at low cost or free of charge to doctors with needy patients.
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Companies that provides this kind of assistance have their own rules to participate.
America’s pharmaceutical research companies sponsor the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARx).
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This program helps uninsured and low income Americans.
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It has information about programs that provide prescription medicines free or at a reduced cost.
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You give a list of your prescription medications, your basic information and your current drug coverage.
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The system can tell you what patient assistance program you may be eligible for, and how to apply.
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There are many different programs and a large number of medications available.
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You can access the service – free of charge – by visiting the PPARx website at www.pparx.org or by calling 888-4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669).
To apply for one or more of these programs, you must work with your doctor.
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You need to provide your doctor with information required by each Patient Assistance Program that covers a medicine you need.
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Your doctor needs to:
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Sign your application form
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Add prescription information or an actual prescription
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And sometimes mailing or faxing the application on your behalf.
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If you meet the program’s requirements, the company will either send the medicine to your doctor’s office or directly to your home.
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Some programs mail you a pharmacy card that you can use to get your free or low cost medicines at your local pharmacy.
There are many programs and each has its own rules for eligibility.
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Some programs require that a patient's income be below federal poverty guidelines.
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Others determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
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You may find that you are eligible for some programs but not others.
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You should ask your doctor to help you apply to all programs that provide assistance for the medicines you take, especially the ones that cost more.
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If PPARx does not have a program for the medicine you need, check with the manufacturer of the drug to see if they have a Patient Assistance Program.
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You should request an application and information on eligibility requirements
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You need to work with your doctor to file the application and receive the medicine.
Remember, the PPARx is a free service.
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There are other companies that offer to connect you to the same programs and charge you money.
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Some of these programs may use the PPARx name.
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The service offered directly through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance is offered completely free of charge.
For more information go to: www.pparx.org
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