Pharmaceutical companies offer free and low-cost drug programs.
Many Americans cannot afford to pay for their prescription medication, even if they have some form of health insurance. According to Insure.com, "23 percent [of Americans] say they have cut pills in half or skipped doses in order to make medication last longer." There is help available, however.
Drug manufacturers have free or low-cost medication programs for individuals who meet their eligibility requirements. According to RxAssist.com, applicants to these programs usually have to be below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, and be an American citizen or resident. Some companies require that the applicant have no prescription drug coverage from a public or private source. Note that requirements vary in each company's individual programs.
Instructions
1. Ask your doctor for free samples of the drug she has prescribed. Physicians often have several samples available.
2. Talk to your doctor about your medication costs. Doctors have access to and knowledge of many free medication programs. She should be able to tell you which programs are right for you given your current financial and health care situation, and type of medications you take. Doctors may also have to apply to certain programs for you.
3. Know your income level and where you are on the federal poverty line. Most drug programs have income limits for different family sizes. Not all programs require that you be below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, but it is helpful to know your particular income level and where you are on the federal poverty line to quickly know if you are eligible for particular free medication programs as you review their application requirements.
4. Search the database at RxAssist to find the drugs you need. Input the manufacturer or drug name you are looking for. Click on the names of the different drug provider programs to read about the program's eligibility requirements, application materials and instructions, and other information. Review the eligibility requirements of the free medication program to see if you can apply.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance and the Free Medicine Program are two examples of other sites with free medication information. People's-Law.org also publishes a resource guide for free and reduced-cost medications. (See Resources 2, 3, and 4.) Contact manufacturers directly for more information about their individual assistance programs.
Tags: federal poverty, federal poverty line, poverty line, eligibility requirements, free medication, medication programs, below percent
