How to Pay for Medications You Cannot Afford

Patients can determine which programs they may be eligible for by answering questions and using the

online application wizard. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call

toll-free at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).

Needy Meds.org: A non-profit organization with the mission of helping people who cannot afford to pay

for their medications. Click the link to find patient assistant programs through their website.

2. CHECK IF YOUR STATE HAS A PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Many states have pharmaceutical assistance programs for qualifying residents. Qualifications vary, and

some programs are only for senior citizens. The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains a

state by state list of these programs with contact information. You can also try contacting your county

health department (check your telephone book) to see if there are other programs in your particular state

or county.

3. PURCHASE MORE AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE

For those who have excessive insurance premium costs, one option is to explore purchasing more

affordable health insurance. There are various insurances and health care plans available such as

HMOs (health maintenance organizations), PPOs (preferred provider organizations), POS (point of

service plans), indemnity plans (fee for service plans), and health savings accounts. Talking to a local

insurance agent can help you figure out which is the best option for you and which can help you best

afford your medications.

4. CONSIDER GENERIC INSTEAD OF BRAND NAME MEDICATIONS

After a certain period of time, pharmaceutical companies must allow other companies to produce their

medication. Generic medications must have the same active ingredients as the name brand, but the

inactive ingredients could be different. Inactive ingredients may include colors, preservatives, or other

fillers. A pharmaceutical company that wishes to sell their generic medication must prove to the Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) that it is equivalent (known as "bioequivalent") to the brand name

medication. To be bioequivalent, the active ingredients in a generic medication must be absorbed at a

similar rate and in a similar amount as the brand name medication. The generic does not have to act

exactly the same as the brand name medication, but it does have to fall within certain guidelines set by

the FDA. These guidelines may vary from medication to medication.

To be sure that the generic medication you are offered has been established as bioequivalent to the

brand name, always check with your pharmacist. Your pharmacist has access to information about

generic medications from the FDA's Orange Book. The Orange Book contains listings of medications

and their bioequivalency status. The electronic version of the Orange Book is searchable by active

ingredient and brand name.

If your doctor has written a prescription for a medication using the brand name for that medication, the

pharmacist must fill it with that specific medication. The pharmacist can call your doctor and talk about

substituting a generic form of the medication. Alternatively, you can talk with your doctor about generic

vs. prescription medications when the prescription is written.

Generic versions are not available for all brand name medications, but it is worth asking your doctor

about this since it can save you significant money. For more information on generic medication, see the

website of the Office of Generic Drugs from the FDA.

5. ASK FOR FREE SAMPLES

If there is no generic version of your medication available, ask if your health care provider has samples

of the medication. Many doctors are given free samples of commonly used medications by drug

company representatives. This is not a long-term solution, but a few samples might be able to hold you

over until a real solution is found.

6. LOOK INTO PILL SPLITTING

You may be able to save money by purchasing your medication in a double dose and splitting the pills.

Again, you will need to discuss this possibility with your health care provider. This approach cannot be

used with all medications.

7. ASK FOR LONGER PRESCRIPTION INTERVALS

Instead of getting a prescription filled that will only last 30 days, you can request one that will last for 60

to 90 days if you anticipate future financial hardship or termination of insurance benefits. Your health

care provider's willingness to do this will depend on the type of medication. For example, this request will

be more likely to be granted for an anti-depressant medication than a narcotic pain reliever, due to the

addicting qualities.

8. CONSIDER APPLYING FOR MEDICAID

Medicaid is a health insurance program funded at the federal (national) and state level for individuals and

families with low incomes and resources. The application process, eligibility requirements, and coverage

policies vary from state to state. In some states, people who qualify for Supplemental Security Income

(SSI) automatically qualify for Medicaid. It is best to contact the Medicaid agency in your state for an

application and any questions you may have, particularly about whether or not Medicaid covers

prescriptions in your state. Your local Department of Social Service (check your telephone book) may be

able to help you with the process. In New York state, the website for Medicaid is found here. In

Syracuse (Onondaga County), the contact information for Department of Social Services is Onondaga

County Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street , Syracuse, New York 13202-2923 (phone: 315-435-

2928).

9. ORDER PRESCRIPTIONS ONLINE

It is possible to save money on your prescription drug costs by ordering them through an online

pharmacy. In many cases, these prescriptions will end up costing a fraction of what they do through your

local drug store, saving you a great deal of money in the process. All you have to do is fill out an online

order form and your prescription will be delivered right to your door. Not only does this method allow you

to save money by purchasing your medication online, but it also takes much of the hassle out of visiting

the pharmacy and waiting for your prescription to be filled.