Getting Patients DrugsA Guide to Patient

Assistance ProgramsDiane M. Wink EdD, FNP,

ARNPProfessor

College of NursingUCF

wink@mail.ucf.edu

Objective1. Use free and low cost programs to

help patients afford needed drugs – Types of programs:

• Patient assistance• Discount• Co-pay coverage• Free

– How to access programs– Benefits / problems with each type

program

RETAIL BASED PROGRAMS

Free Drug Programs • Antibiotics

– Publix – United – Meijer – Wegmans

• Metformin– Publix

• Prenatal Vitamins– Meijer

RETAIL BASED PROGRAMS

Generic Drug Programs • Wal-Mart

http://www.walmart.com/pharmacy–$4-9/30 days $12-24/90 days–OTC program

RETAIL BASED PROGRAMS

Generic Drug Programs • Target http://sites.target.com/

– $4-9/30 days $10-24/ 90 days– More discounts with Target credit or debit card

• CVS http://www.cvs.com/– $10 enrollment – $9.99 for 90 day supply– 10% discount on Minute Clinic (except FL)

• Rite Aide http://www.riteaid.com/– $8.99/30-days $15.99/90 days.– 20% on other name brand and generics meds– Save 10% on Rite Aid products– Not in publicly funded health care program– Free Card

• Walgreens http://www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/– $20/year; $35 family for Card– $12/90 days – US or Puerto Rico– Not in publicly funded health care program– Diabetic supplies– Pet prescriptions– Coupons– Discount on other services

RETAIL BASED PROGRAMS

Generic Drug Programs • Rite Aide http://www.riteaid.com/

– $8.99/30-days $15.99/90 days. Free Card– 20% on other name brand and generics meds– Save 10% on Rite Aid products– Not in publicly funded health care program

• Walgreens http://www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/– $20/year; $35 family for Card– $12/90 days – US or Puerto Rico– Not in publicly funded health care program– Diabetic supplies, Pet prescriptions, Coupons, Other Discounts

Patient Assistance Programs

Free Programs • Partnership for Prescription

Assistance - PPARx – Supported by PhRMA

• http://www.pparx.org/

Patient Assistance Programs

Free Programs • PPARx

–Search engine of drugs• 475 patient assistance programs (200 from drug

companies)• Links to applications• Application wizard

–Help Is Here Express bus

Patient Assistance Programs

Free Programs • PPARx

–Information on• Medicare Drug Coverage• Medicaid Chip programs• Patient Assistance Programs• Co-Payment programs• Free Clinic Finders• Savings Cards

Patient Assistance Programs

Free Programs • NeedyMeds.org

–NOT the .com site• http://www.needymeds.org/–Services

• PAP Applications Assistance• Brand and Generic Name Drugs• Program and Company Lists• Medication Coupons• Application Assistance

Patient Assistance Programs

Free Programs • RX Assist (Supported by Astra

Zeneca)• http://www.rxassist.org/–Services

• Links to forms and an application Wizard.

Patient Assistance Programs

Commercial Programs • Select Care Benefits Network

• http://www.scbn.org/–Services

• Application fee of $50-$75.• $20 per month per medication based on a 12 month

agreement• Completes paper work• Extra charge for extra work• Will do appeals and remind you to do subsequent

paper work

Patient Assistance Programs

Drug Discount Programs • Together RX Program (many

companies• http://

www.togetherrxaccess.com/Tx/jsp/home.jsp• Discounts on Drugs

Patient Assistance Programs

Drug Discount Programs • Together RX Program (Beware of

Ad)–Criteria: 

• Not eligible for Medicare or any prescription drug coverage• Household income equal to or less than:

– $45,000 for a single person– $60,000 for a family of two– $75,000 for a family of three– $90,000 for a family of four– $105,000 for a family of five– Contact for others and residents of AK and HI

• Legal resident of the US or Puerto Rico

Patient Assistance Programs

Drug Discount Programs • Together RX Program

–Services: • 25-40% savings on 300+ brand/generic drugs

Patient Assistance Programs

Disease Specific Programs • AIDS Treatment Data Network

–Also assists with hepatitis• http://www.atdn.org/

Patient Assistance Programs

Disease Specific Programs • American Cancer Society

• http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_3_2x_Prescription_Drug_Assistance_Programs.asp

Patient Assistance Programs

Disease Specific Programs • National Alliance on Mental

Illness• http://www.nami.org/Content/

ContentGroups/Helpline1Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm•  

Patient Assistance Programs

Benefits Check-Up • BenefitsCheckUp –

–National Council on the Aging• http://www.benefitscheckup.org –Select "Find More Benefits Programs…”–Services

• Online resource for people age 55 and older• 1,500 programs for all states and Washington DC• Help beyond medications.

Questions??