Medicine Assistance Programs
Cost is one of the most common reasons people give for not taking their medicines. But money doesn't have to stop you. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're having trouble paying for your medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe another drug that works just as well but costs less.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about "manufacturers' aid" or "patient assistance" programs. These are public and private programs that offer discounted or free medicines. Your income and often your age will determine whether you can get them. And some programs require your doctor to apply for you.
Most programs will need to know this information:
- The prescription medications you are taking
- Name of each drug
- The dose (amount (pill size))
- How often you take the drug (for example, two times a day)
- Your monthly or annual gross income
- Your state of residence
- The name of any insurance program you're covered under (if any)
Here are a few programs and resources that you may find helpful.
America's Pharmacy(link opens in new window)
Prescription drug discount card.
Be Medicine Smart - National Council on Patient Education and Information(link opens in new window)
Promotes safe and appropriate medicine use to improve the health of children, parents, grandparents, relatives and friends.
Choice Drug Card(link opens in new window)
Prescription drug discount card.
Eldercare Locator Community Assistance for Seniors(link opens in new window)
(800) 677-1116
The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services, including medication assistance, within their state and local area.
FamilyWize® Community Service Partnership(link opens in new window)
Distributes free prescription drug savings cards and provides a drug price lookup tool.
GoodRx(link opens in new window)
Pharmacy discount card.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder(link opens in new window)
If you're covered under Medicare, you're eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage, regardless of your income, health status or current prescription expenses. Enter all your prescription drugs into this online tool to get a personalized list of drug plans available to you, along with their costs and features. For more information about Medicare, call toll-free 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
National Council on the Aging Benefits CheckUp®(link opens in new window)
The BenefitsCheckUp® is an online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for adults ages 55 and older.
NeedyMeds(link opens in new window)
(800) 503-6897
NeedyMeds is a national non-profit information resource dedicated to helping people locate assistance programs to help them afford their medications and other health care costs.
NiceRx(link opens in new window)
NiceRx helps Americans access affordable prescription medications through patient assistance programs.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance(link opens in new window)
1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a collaboration among pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups. The program offers a single point of access to hundreds of public and private patient assistance programs, including many offered by pharmaceutical companies.
Rx Outreach(link opens in new window)
(800) 769-3880
Rx Outreach is a charitable nonprofit Patient Assistance Program. The program provides access to affordable generic and brand-name medications to qualified individuals and families based on income.
ScriptSave WellRx(link opens in new window)
Prescription savings program.
