Getting Patients Drugs A Guide to Patient Assistance Programs Diane M. Wink EdD, FNP, ARNP Professor College of Nursing UCF

Objective 1.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 – $4-9/30 days $12-24/90 days – OTC program

RETAIL BASED PROGRAMS Generic Drug Programs Target – $4-9/30 days $10-24/ 90 days – More discounts with Target credit or debit card CVS – $10 enrollment – $9.99 for 90 day supply – 10% discount on Minute Clinic (except FL) Rite Aide – $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 – $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 – $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 – $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

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 – 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 ) – Services Links to forms and an application Wizard.

Patient Assistance Programs Commercial Programs Select Care Benefits Network – 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 x/jsp/home.jsp x/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

Patient Assistance Programs Disease Specific Programs American Cancer Society content/MIT_3_2x_Prescription_Dru g_Assistance_Programs.asp content/MIT_3_2x_Prescription_Dru g_Assistance_Programs.asp

Patient Assistance Programs Disease Specific Programs National Alliance on Mental Illness ntGroups/Helpline1Prescription_Dru g_Patient_Assistance_Programs.ht m ntGroups/Helpline1Prescription_Dru g_Patient_Assistance_Programs.ht m

Patient Assistance Programs Benefits Check-Up BenefitsCheckUp – – National Council on the Aging – 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??