What if You Can’t Afford an Expensive Medication You’ve Been Prescribed?

Written by:  Mike Alexander, Jr.   08/15/2021

When it comes to your health care, prescription medications can often be expensive, especially if they’re ongoing or if you have more than one. Everyone knows someone who doesn’t have insurance or is not able to afford prescription medication. There are options to help cover the costs of expensive prescriptions, such as patient assistance programs, nonprofit programs, and more.    If you or someone you know is looking for health insurance coverage, for an individual, family,  company,  or a Medicare Plan, have them call us at 800-362-2809 or visit our website at www.getagreatquote.com

 

Patient Assistance Programs 

 

Patient assistance programs are made to help individuals and families with financial needs to pay for expensive prescriptions. These programs can provide both financial assistance and free prescription drug products. Assistance programs can be offered by pharmaceutical companies, doctors, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and states. 

Each patient assistant program has its own set of factors determining who qualifies. Usually, they want proof of financial status and your doctor’s approval. They may also require either lack of health insurance or lack of prescription drug benefits covered by your insurance.  

 

Charity Programs 

 

A variety of charity programs help cover the expenses for medications and treatments. Some nonprofits are focused more generally on those who can’t afford prescriptions, while others are aimed towards helping those with specific conditions. For example, The Assistance Fund is an independent charitable patient assistance organization created to help patients and families facing high medication costs.  

To determine eligibility, these programs usually consider your income, cost of living, and medical expenses. Look into different options to determine which nonprofit option could be the right match for you. 

 

Additional Options 

 

There are also additional steps you can take to help with prescription costs. Doctors often offer free samples of medication which you can take. Additionally, many pharmaceutical companies are aimed at providing lower prices, and can offer coupons or discounts, especially for first time users. Ask your doctor about samples or low-cost pharmaceutical company options.  

 

 

With increasing prescription costs, paying for expensive medications can be difficult. Luckily, there are multiple resources that can help. Patient assistance programs help cover prescription drug costs for individuals and families with financial needs. There are also charity programs created to cover expenses for those who can’t afford medication and treatments. Finally, options such as free samples or low-cost pharmaceutical companies can help cut the costs of your prescriptions.   There are other discount options that you qualify for.

By looking into these options and asking your doctor about potential resources, you can determine which routes are best to help make your medication more affordable.