Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
What are Patient Assistance Programs?
Are there people available to help me with PAPs?
What if I am on Medicare or Part D?
How do I sign up for your program?
I sent in my application - where are my meds?
Do I need to be a US resident?
Why do you include companies that don't have a program?
My medicine is not listed. Can I use a PAP?
My doctor doesn't have time to fill out the forms?
Are there programs for children?
Is assistance available for smoking cessation?
Medicare and Part D Questions
Can I use a PAP if I am on Medicare or Medicare Part D?
I am confused about Medicare Part D - where can I find help?
Medical Supplies and OTCs
Is there a program that supplies diabetic supplies or equipment?
Do programs provide over-the-counter medicine?
Insurance and Co-pays
I have insurance but still can't afford my meds? Is there any help with insurance co-pays?
Donating or Disposing of Medicine
Can I donate unused drugs to you? How do I dispose of them?
Discount Drug Cards Questions
What are discount drug cards?
How do I select a card?
Do some stores have pharmacy discount cards?
Common Questions about PAPs
Q: What are Patient Assistance Programs?
A: Programs called PAPs (Patient Assistance Programs) provide free or low cost prescription medicine to low-income people who are uninsured or under-insured and meet the guidelines. Most are provided by the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture the medicine.
Q: Are there people who will help me with a PAP?
A: There may be a group that will help you. Help with Paperwork is a list of groups and individuals that will help people find and apply for PAPs for free or for a small fee.
Q: Am I eligible for a patient assistance program if I am on Medicare? What if I am enrolled in a Part D drug plan?
A: Yes, some of the PAPs will help if you are enrolled in Part D. The following programs will help Part D recipients:
GSK Access,
AZ Medicine and Me, and
LillyMedicareAnswers. You can find these programs on the "Program List" on the menu on the left-hand side of the homepage. Go to
First Time Users
in the menu at the top of the page if you need help. Other programs help on a case-by-case basis so we recommend that you find a Patient Assistance Program that covers your medication and call the program.
Q: I want to sign up for the NeedyMeds program. How come your site doesn't tell me how to do that?
A: NeedyMeds is NOT a program. We are an information resource to help you find the assistance you need.
Q: I sent in my application, why haven't I received my meds?
A: Your application was to a program, not NeedyMeds. For questions such as this, call the program directly. Phone numbers are included on the program pages.
Top of Page
Q: Do I have to be a resident of the US to use these programs?
A: Yes, most of the Patient Assistance Programs and most of the other assistance programs require US residency.
Q: Why do you include companies that don't have a program?
A: Companies drop and add programs regularly. We keep companies on our list so you can see their current status. Sometimes companies will help out indigent patients even if they have no program.
Q: I'm taking a drug that is not listed on NeedyMeds. Does this mean there isn't a program to get the drug at low or no cost?
A: Probably. If the drug you are taking is not listed, it means there is no program that covers that drug as of our last update. You can try calling the manufacturer and see if their program has changed and now includes your drug. On rare occasions, some companies will make an exception.
Top of Page
Q: My doctor either doesn't want to or doesn't have the time to complete the forms. What can I do?
A: A few suggestions that may help:
-
Make sure you fill out as much of the form as you can Ð and all the material that the patient is responsible for completing.
-
Read over the doctor's portion and see if there is any information the doctor will need from you and have this ready.
-
Try to befriend a sympathetic staff member. Sometimes the staff is able to get the doctor to complete and sign the form.
-
Be sure your doctor knows your plight Ð that you may not be able to take your medicine because you can't afford to buy it.
-
Let the doctor know you understand how busy he/she is and that you appreciate the time it takes to complete the forms.
As a last resort, you may have to find another doctor who will be more helpful.
Top of Page
Q Are there programs for children?
A: Yes, PAPs cover people of all ages based on the medication that they are taking. NeedyMeds has a section Programs for Children that lists other places to look for programs that assist children.
Top of Page
Q: Is there assistance available for smoking cessation?
A: Yes, there are several PAPs for this type of medication
Pfizer Connection to Care
, scroll down to see Pfizer Pfriends and Together Rx Access.
Common Questions about Medicare and Part D
Q: I am enrolled in Medicare Part D. Am I eligible for a PAP?
A: Yes, some of the PAPs will help if you are enrolled in Part D. The following programs will help Part D recipients:
GSK Access,
AZ Medicine and Me, and
LillyMedicareAnswers. You can find these programs on the "Program List" on the menu on the left-hand side of the homepage. Go to
First Time Users
in the menu at the top of the page if you need help. Other programs help on a case-by-case basis so we recommend that you find a Patient Assistance Program that covers your medication and call the program.
Q: I am confused about Medicare Part D - where can I find help?
A. Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIIP or SHIP). These are federally-funded health programs that provide health insurance counseling to Medicare recipients and their families. SHIP programs may have different names in different states (in Connecticut it's called "Choices"; in some states it's called Senior Health Insurance Assistance), but all do the same thing. They provide free one-on-one telephone counseling and advice services, personal face-to-face counseling sessions, public education programs and media presentations. Most SHIP counselors are volunteers who have received extensive training and are well versed with all facets of the Medicare program (including Part D), Medicaid, health insurance benefits, fraud and abuse. Click
HERE
to find your local SHIP.
Top of Page
Common Questions about Medical Supplies and OTC's
Q: Do you know of a program where I can get my diabetic supplies or other equipment?
A: Yes. The Abbott Diabetes Patient Assistance Program provides free monitoring systems, strips, and lancets to those people who meet their requirements.
Some limited supplies are available.
Check on the first letter of your condition in
Disease-Based Assistance
where you can find more programs for help with the cost of diabetes and other conditions.
Q: Are there programs that cover OTCs (over-the-counter drugs)?
A. There are no programs that we know about at this time.
Top of Page
Common Questions about Insurance and Co-pays
Q: I have insurance and can still not afford my medicine. What can I do?
A: Some PAPs will help people who have insurance if they can meet hardship requirements or if their medicine is not covered by the insurance. If there is a program for your medicine(s), call the program and enquire about this. Some programs help with the co-pays for specific diseases and conditions. You can find these in
Disease-Based Assistance
section of the website. Look up your disease or condition to see if there is assistance for you. Also check in the
Drug Discount Cards
section to look for discounts on your medications.
Common Questions about Donating or Disposing of Medicine
Q: Can I donate unused medicines to you? How do I dispose of them?
A: No, we're sorry that we cannot take donated drugs. Unfortunately, most medicines with the exception of some specific, unopened packages cannot be redistributed and it is illegal to give another person your prescription medicine. Medicine being flushed down the toilet causing concerns about traces of medicine in the water supply. Many states and communities are addressing this problem and some communities have established pharmaceutical take-back programs. Check with your local pharmacy or government to see if you community has addressed this issue. Click
HERE
to read more about drug disposal.
Top of Page
Common Questions about Discrount Drug Cards
Q: What are drug Discount Cards?
A:
Discount Drug Cards offer discounts on various medical services including medicine. They are not a form of insurance. Some are free while others may involve a helfty fee. They are offered by state government, the drug companies, non-profit and for-profits businesses.
Q: How do I pick a discount drug card?
A: Carefully evaluate any and all costs involved, such as handling or shipping fees. The fee may add up to more than the discount. When using a free card, it is still important to consider the cost of your medicine: the generic version may be cheaper than the discounted drug. Speak with a representative of the plan about concerns and to check if your medicine is included. Your local pharmacist will usually tell you the cheapest way to get your medicine if you have serval plans or cards.
Q. Do some stores have pharmacy discount cards?
A: Yes, many larger chains offer medicine discounts to their customers.
Wal-Mart
and Sam's Club
and others, for example, offer some generic prescriptions for $4. These programs do not usually include all generics. Again, the pharmacist should be able to help you pick the least expensive way to buy your medicine.
Top of Page
