Factsheet: How Can I Get Help Paying for My Prescriptions?
Some pharmaceutical companies offer prescription assistance programs to individuals and families with financial needs. These programs typically require a doctor’s consent and proof of your financial status. They may also require that you have either no health insurance or no prescription drug benefit through your health insurance.
In addition, there are county, state, and national prescription programs for which you may qualify and special drug discount cards offered by some pharmaceutical companies.
Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare began a new program to help pay for prescription drugs for people who receive Medicare benefits and people who currently have both Medicare and Medicaid. Mental Health America has developed written materials to explain this new program, also called Medicare Rx, Part D, or the prescription drug benefit, to help consumers, their family and friends, better understand this new benefit and what steps they need to take to get this benefit. RX assist has developed a section for Medicare Part D participants that provides information about prescription assistance programs that may help Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance is an interactive site designed to help you find patient prescription drug assistance programs for which you may qualify. You can use the on-line application wizard, view and read about prescription assistance programs offered by the drug manufacturers, and search for prescription drug assistance programs in your state. You can also contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by calling 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).
Your local and/or state Mental HealthAmerica office is a resource for information about state and local prescription assistance programs.
Your state Medicaid office may offer information about prescription assistance and drug discount programs available in your state.
Medicare Rights Center offers information about state and national prescription assistance programs, drug discount cards, mail order and internet discount pharmacies, and prescription drug price comparison web sites. This information is not only for Medicare Part D plan participants but for anyone needing information about help paying for their prescription drugs. Use the "Help Paying for Prescription Drugs" option on the left-hand side of the page to access this information.
211 is an Information and Referral service to help people connect with important community services and help them find help in their community more easily. 211 is available in many states and, if available in your area, can help you find organizations that may assist with a broad range of needs including help paying for medications, financial assistance with other essential needs such as food, clothing, rent and utility assistance, child care, employment supports, services for older adults, etc.
RX Hope has program descriptions and downloadable applications for prescription assistance programs for specific medications including psychotropic medications.
RX Assist offers a patient assistance program directory along with information about a variety of programs including drug discount cards, prescription assistance programs for generic medications, programs that help with medication copays, programs that provide free and low cost health care, as well as information for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
Needy Meds has a searchable list of disease-specific assistance programs (primarily for other medical conditions) with program description and contact information (Use link under "Additional Programs" on left-hand side of home page.) Some of these programs provide a broad range of financial assistance including help with other necessary expenses such as utility bills. They also have a list of state sponsored programs which can be accessed from the link under "Government Programs" also on the left-hand side of the home page. Once you have identified programs, you can contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) for free assistance in applying for these programs.
There are a variety of organizations that offer prescription assistance for medications used to treat specific medical conditions. While these organizations do not offer assistance in covering the cost of psychotropic medications, they may be helpful if you have other health problems. Some of these programs offer financial assistance for those who have insurance but have high co-pays. Some also offer assistance with insurance premiums.
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief at 1-866-512-3861
- National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) at 1-800-999-NORD
- Patient Services Inc. at 1-800-366-7741
- HealthWell Foundation at 1-800-675-8416
- Patient Access Network Foundation at 1-866-316-7263
For More Information:
For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications, your local Mental Health America affiliate, and other mental health-related services in your community, please click here to access our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
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