If cost saving measures aren’t enough to help meet the cost of medication bills, there are a number of programs designed to help you stretch your health care dollar. Hospitals, medical schools, government agencies, and even drug companies themselves offer a variety of strategies to help those in need of assistance. You’ll likely need some help applying for these programs, and may have to provide certain personal financial details, but the benefits can be enormous.
Talk to your doctor
The first step to take is having a sit-down meeting with your doctor. Even if you don’t see the same doctor on a regular basis, a doctor at a walk in or urgent care clinic can help. Many of the programs available to help provide assistance with the cost of prescription drugs require a doctor to help get things started. He may need to fill out some paperwork, make a few phone calls, or just point you in the right direction, but in the beginning he’s a valuable resource that you shouldn’t overlook. In addition to providing referrals to other resources, doctors usually have lots of free samples that they can dispense to patients who need them.
Investigate Local Programs
If you live in a city especially one with a regional medical center or medical school, chances are good that these organizations offer some programs designed to assist people who need help paying for their medicines. Some programs work with local pharmacies to provide drugs at reduced costs, while others offer classes that teach you how to apply for other programs offered through state, federal, or private sources. If these programs are available in your area, you can find more information by checking the websites of any university, medical school, or hospital in the area. If you don’t have regular access to the internet, try checking the public posting boards at your local library.
Contact State Offices
Many states offer programs designed to pay for some or all of the cost of prescription medicines for people who can demonstrate financial need. These programs usually work through some type of voucher or credit system. You might have to get your prescriptions filled at a specific location or pharmacy chain to take advantage of the cost savings. Though these programs are typically excellent, they can be difficult to set up on your own. You’ll want to seek help getting enrolled from your doctor or someone else familiar with the system. The good news is that if your state offers programs like these, they also probably have an office or service set up specifically to help new patients navigate the sign-up the activation steps.
Talk to Insurance Companies
After the federal government introduced the new Medicare Part D prescription plan, most big insurance companies quietly began offering similar, low cost drug plans. You can usually get some kind of insurance policy that specifically covers drug costs. There are costs associated with this kind of coverage, but if your drug bills are very high, the cost might be much more manageable. Typically you’d pay a low, fixed rate per month in exchange for big discounts on your medication costs. Patients usually end up paying only a small co-pay ($5 to $10) when they pick up their medicines. These plans can be great for some patients, but will probably cost between $50 and $75 per month.
Talk to the Drug Companies
Though not widely advertised, most drug companies offer programs for people who cannot afford prescription medications. You’ll definitely need a doctor’s help with these programs, and most drug companies will only deal with doctor’s offices. Instead of going to the pharmacy, the drug company might send the drugs to your doctor’s office. Be aware that these programs are strictly on a “financial need” basis, and, as with state programs, you’ll probably need to supply financial information to qualify.
Whichever option you choose, remember that you’re not alone. Though it’s easy to feel embarrassed, there’s no reason to be ashamed. Health care is a right, not a privilege, and you pay for many of these programs with tax dollars.
