Paying for Medications

While the long term solution for everyone is to be in a position to access an insurance program through either the private or public sector that provides adequate coverage, those who face the challenge of being able to afford medications are not without recourse.  Below are several options that should be explored if you or a member of your family is unable to afford the on-going cost of prescription medication.

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

As of February 2004, 38 States have some form of pharmaceutical assistance program designed to help those who are unable to afford prescription medications, but who do not meet the eligibility criteria for Medicaid.  While many of these programs focus on helping the elderly, they also offer assistance to individuals with disabilities.  The National Conference of State Legislatures provides a helpful chart summarizing these programs, with contact information for each. 

Pharmaceutical Patient Medication Assistance

Some pharmaceutical manufacturers offer assistance in helping to cover the cost of prescription medications.  They may do this either through a Medication Assistance Program for a particular medication, or through a Discount Card that provides varying degrees of discounts on selected medications.  Information on these programs and discount cards may be found through the folowing sites:

• NeedyMeds.com
• RxAssist - A national program from Volunteers in Health, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
• HelpingPatients.org - Site sponsored by PhRMA, the trade association representing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

CHADD Discount Prescription Card

CHADD has developed a Medical Benefit Program designed to help those with or without insurance reduce the cost of paying for prescription medications.