Medication Assistance Resources
Reviewed By:
Timothy Yarboro, M.D.
The high cost of medications is a bitter pill to swallow, but fortunately there are many ways to save money whether you have insurance or not. These strategies include retailers' discount drug programs, drug companies' assistance programs, free clinics and government aid programs.
Retailers' discount drug programs
Major retailers have made headlines by offering hundreds of drugs at little or even no cost. For example:
- Wal-Mart. The world's largest retailer offers up to a 30-day supply of more than 350 prescription drugs for $4 and 1,000 over-the-counter drugs for $4 or less. The list includes prescriptions for many but not all common conditions, including allergies, arthritis and pain, asthma, diabetes, eye diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological conditions, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infections, mental health, skin diseases and thyroid disorders. Some of the medications are available in a 90-day supply for $10. Even if you have health insurance, you may save money by going this route, depending on your co-payment.
- Target. This retailer has launched a similar program covering more than 300 generic prescription drugs. Again it's $4 for up to a 30-day supply and $10 for up to a 90-day supply. Also note that Target's weekly insert in Sunday newspapers occasionally offers a $10 store card for starting or transferring a prescription.
- Supermarket pharmacies. Like Target, supermarket chains such as Kroger, Giant Eagle and Food City have matched Wal-Mart's $4 price on hundreds of 30-day prescriptions. Some also have discounts on larger prescriptions.
- Kmart. At this discount chain, three-month supplies of some generics go for $10 or $15.
- Warehouse clubs. If a discount drug program at one of the above chains doesn't include your prescription, the cheapest generics are sometimes found at membership stores such as Costco or Sam's Club.
- Walgreens. This nationwide drugstore chain has a program offering a three-month supply for more than 400 generic drugs for $12.99. There is an annual enrollment fee of $20 for individuals and $35 for families. Walgreens promises $50 worth of coupons just for asking a pharmacist about the plan.
NEXT PAGE: Free medications
Free medications from retailers
Some stores are even giving away drugs -- in a limited variety, of course. The Midwestern discount chain Meijer is handing out prenatal vitamins. Regional stores including Meijer, Publix supermarkets and Schnucks Pharmacy are filling prescriptions of several oral antibiotics for free.
Not everyone is thrilled about this development. Some doctors worry that it may increase the misuse of antibiotics that has already promoted the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Be sure not to abuse these drug programs. Don't pester your doctor for antibiotics to treat the flu, for example -- they don't work against viruses. And don't ask for prenatal vitamins if you're not pregnant or planning to become pregnant!
NEXT PAGE: Pharmaceutical aid programs
Pharmaceutical aid programs
Most pharmaceutical manufacturers now have programs to assist those who need their medications but are unable to pay for them. Each company has its own policies, forms and guidelines. Unearthing the protocols for applying for help can be challenging. Physicians' offices often have information on these programs, or you can check out:
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a cooperative that gives eligible people access to hundreds of programs offering discounted or free medications, 888-477-2669, www.pparx.org
- Together Rx Access, a discount prescription card for limited-income U.S. citizens who have no prescription drug coverage and are ineligible for Medicare, 800-444-4106, www.togetherrxaccess.com
- RxAssist, a Web site with information on how to get low-cost or free medications, www.rxassist.org
- NeedyMeds.com, a nonprofit organization aiming to help people who can’t afford health care, www.needymeds.com
Additional resources for specific conditions:
NEXT PAGE: A list of drug companies and their assistance programs
Drug companies' assistance programs
A list of drug companies with information on medication assistance:
Abbott: 800-222-6885
access2wellness (Johnson & Johnson, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen, Centocor, LifeScan One Touch, Scios, Tibotec, Vistakon): 866-317-2775
Allergan (Botox for cervical dystonia): 800-44-BOTOX
Amgen: 800-272-9376
Amylin: 800-330-7647
AstraZeneca: 800-292-6363
Bayer Schering Pharma: 800-998-9180
Boehringer Ingelheim: 800-556-8317
Bristol-Myers Squibb: 800-736-0003
Bristol-Myers Squibb Access Virology (HIV, hepatitis B): 888-281-8981
Bristol-Myers Squibb Destination Access (cancer): 800-861-0048
Eli Lilly: 800-545-6962
EMD Serono: 866-535-7879 (fertility), 877-447-3243 (MS), 800-5827989 (Saizen), 800-714-2437 (Serostim)
Forest Pharmaceuticals: 800-851-0758
Genentech: 866-4ACCESS
GlaxoSmithKline: 888-825-5249
Merck: 800-506-3725
Novartis: 800-277-2254
Novo Nordisk: 866-310-7549
Pfizer: 866-776-3700
Proctor & Gamble: 800-448-4878
Roche: 877-757-6243
Sanofi-Aventis: 800-221-4025
Schering Plough Cares (allergy, asthma, cardiovascular, dermatology): 800-656-9485
Schering Plough Commitment to Care (cancer, hepatitis): 800-521-7157
Solvay Pharmaceuticals: 800-256-8918
Takeda: 800-830-9159
Wyeth: 800-568-9938
General contact information for other drug companies:
Baxter: 800-422-9837
Biogen Idec: 617-679-2000
Chugai: 908-516-1350
Cytogen: 800-833-3533
DEY: 800-755-5560
King Pharmaceuticals: 888-840-5370
Mylan: 724-514-1800
Paddock Laboratories: 800-328-5113
Teva Pharmaceuticals: 888-838-2872
Taro Pharmaceuticals: 800-544-1449
Valeant Pharmaceuticals: 800-556-1937
Zila: 866-945-2776
NEXT PAGE: Free clinics
Free clinics
Eligibility for free and low-cost healthcare clinics varies according to location. A list of resources:
NEXT PAGE: Government programs
Government programs
The U.S. government's healthcare programs include:
- Medicaid. This state-administered program covers only those low-income people who fit certain eligibility groups. Factors governing eligibility include income, assets, age and disability.
- Medicare, 800-633-4227. This health insurance program covers people age 65 and older, younger people who have certain disabilities, and anyone with end-stage renal disease (chronic kidney failure). Part A is hospital insurance. Part B helps cover doctors, outpatient care and home health. Part D helps cover prescription drugs.
- Social Security Disability, 800-772-1213. This program aids disabled people who meet eligibility requirements.
- State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). "Families that do not currently have health insurance are likely to be eligible, even if you are working," according to this federal/state partnership. Eligibility rules vary by state. Generally it covers uninsured children under age 19 whose families earn up to $36,200 a year for a family of four. For little or no cost, this insurance covers doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations, emergency room visits and some dental care.
- VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides enrolled military veterans with certain healthcare benefits (877-222-8387) and other benefits (800-827-1000).
Note that there also many state assistance programs. For example, RxHelpForCalifornians helps qualified low-income California residents get discount prescription drugs. New York's programs include Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) and Family Health Plus, which helps young and middle-aged adults who don't qualify for Medicare.
Local public health departments also may have clinics that offer some limited medications and contraceptive medications and devices for free or on a sliding-fee scale for eligible individuals.
Check your state or local health department's Web site to see what's offered in your area.
More: How are you coping with the high cost of health care? Share your experiences and get helpful tips from others at Hot Topics in Health and the other message boards.
