Where to Find Help to Pay for Prescription Medicines

Do you have a health insurance plan that does not cover prescription medicines? Or maybe you don't have any insurance at all. Regardless of the situation, the fact remains that most prescription drugs are expensive when you have to pay for them out-of-pocket.

While paying full price for medication is certainly not the most desirable option, many people do it anyway out of necessity. If they need the medicine but the insurance doesn't pay for it, they see no other choice but to purchase it themselves. And that's what they do.

But what about those people who do not have any extra funds available to pay for their prescription medicines; the people who live income check to income check to the point where the medication, if purchased, would have to replace another need, such as food? Are these people out of luck?

Just because you have a lower than average household income, it does not mean you have to let your medical conditions go untreated. There are actually many ways to get help to pay for prescription medicines. From charity organizations to private funding sources to assistance from the pharmaceutical companies themselves, there are plenty of free money sources that can help people in need get discounted or free prescription medicines. Some of these resources require some time and effort to look into and apply for, but the commitment is far worth it, as most programs will enroll eligible patients for as long as a year.

Listed below are several resources to explore to get free help paying for medication:

Pharmaceutical Companies
Despite their reputation for greediness, pharmaceutical companies do provide many people with medicines for free. Most drug manufacturers will help patients who are eligible find ways to pay for their medication. This is usually done by the way of what are commonly referred to as Patient Assistance Programs. Specific eligibility requirements will vary according to the medication needed, but if you can demonstrate financial need and get a statement from your doctor, you are very likely to qualify.

These programs will usually approve you for the program for a 12-month period, during which you will receive free or discounted meds at regular intervals. The drugs will be sent to your prescriber who will then dispense them to you.

To learn more about Patient Assistance Programs, first determine what company manufactures the particular prescription medicine you require. You will probably be able to find a link to the financial assistance information on the pharmaceutical company's website. If that does not work, try a search for "Patient Assistance Programs" and the name of the medication or company that applies. Or if you are looking for ways to get help paying for SSRI antidepressant medication specifically, you might find this article to be of use.


Prescription Discount Cards
There are many private businesses who offer a savings card that can be used at your retail pharmacy to get significant discounts on most prescription drugs. Many of these companies are able to give away the cards for free because of an agreement with the pharmacies; the company gets a commission every time someone uses the card.

Prescription Discount Cards can be very valuable, but watch out for scams or sneaky methods to tempt you into spending money. Some of these companies who offer discounts on prescription medicine charge an enrollment, activation or annual fee. Steer clear of those. If you are willing to do research, you will find there are plenty of options to get prescription savings cards for free.

For details about a few legitimate and free Prescription Discount Cards and programs, read this article.

Government Programs
Each state offers one or more benefits programs that may be able to help you afford the cost of medication. If you are elderly or disabled, you might qualify for Medicare and those with a very low household income may be entitled to free health insurance from your state Medicaid program.

Low income residents can also apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which will give you a sum of money each month that you can use for anything you need it for, including prescription medicines. Some states have additional programs that might also help. Check out PatientAssistance.com for a list with links to government benefits programs by state.

Co-Payment Programs
Depending on your household income and medical condition, you may be able to obtain free or discount medications with the help of co-pay programs. There are numerous programs out there, most of which can be easily discovered with the help of a non-profit organization or private foundation offering financial assistance toward care and medicine for specific diseases. There are also several that are open to helping people with a wider range of medical issues.

Many of these associations also have their own co-payment programs that you might qualify for. If not, they can at least serve as excellent resources and advocates for a broad range of medical information and needs in addition to helping you find ways to afford your co-pays. Many co-payment programs exist as well that are specific to particular medication brands, such as the Kadian® Co-Pay Program and the TobiCare Patient Support Program.