by Tricia
Free Money Finance had a great post on how to save money on Prescription Drugs. But here’s another tip that I learned first hand a few years ago that will help those of you who may make too much money for federal or state help – but don’t make enough money to have your own plan.
Ask your doctor, hospital, etc…about any plans that the DRUG companies have that could help you. Yes, I said the DRUG companies.
I have asthma…well, I’ve been told I have asthma and I didn’t necessarily believe it. The doctor wanted me on a name brand inhaler and I wasn’t about to pay over $100/month just for that drug. He told me to go to a woman within the hospital and talk to her about a program.
So I did. I ended up getting my prescription in the mail for free. The program was directly through the drug company that makes the inhaler. From the sounds of it there may be other programs out there that can help with providing free or reduced cost medicines (name brands).
But the thing is…you have to ask for help to find the paperwork to complete. It was hard looking at my doctor and telling him, “I can’t afford that medicine.” But he couldn’t have offered his help unless I let him know I needed it.
I couldn’t say what the income guidelines are, since the paperwork I filled out didn’t really say. But it may be worth a telephone call to just to ask about it.
Thanks for the info Scarlett! I will be posting about your comment shortly. What a great site!
www.needymeds.com
This is a great resource if you can’t afford your prescriptions. There’s lots of information on this site – eligibility guidlines, application requirements, etc.
Just about every drug manufacturer has it’s own patient assistance program. Once you find the correct program – try searching by brand name or generic name – print off the paperwork, fill in your part, provide proof of income if necessary and give it to your doctor to fill out the rest. They’ll mail or fax it in for you.