Free and Low Cost Prescription Drug Programs

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Free and Low Cost Prescription Drug Programs

How to get help paying for your medications

If you are uninsured or your insurance does cover your prescriptions, getting the medications you need can be expensive. This is especially true with cancer patients.

Let's say you have a prescription for chemotherapy, but it cause stomach upset, so you need a anti-nausea medication to go along with it, then the chemo has caused you to become anemic, so you need a prescription for an iron supplement. The list can go on and on. The bottom line is that the prescriptions costs for a cancer patient paying out of pocket can exceed a mortgage payment!

When You Need Help Paying for Your Medications

The worst thing a person can do is to stop taking their medications. There are several programs available that offer free and reduced cost prescription drug assistance.

Hospital Social Worker Every hospital has a social worker that can help you find grants and other programs aimed at assisting you with your healthcare needs.

This should be your first stop in looking for help. Always inform your doctor if you cannot pay for drugs or care. He or she may know of a program firsthand to assist you, also.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is an organization aimed at helping those who can't afford their medications. They have created a database of over 400 programs and over 5000 medications available for reduced or no cost assistance. They help in determining what you are eligible for and applying for the assistance. The service is free and available online.

Drug Companies A lot of people wouldn't think prescription drug companies offer assistance, but many do. Merck offers a prescription meds program for those taking Merck meds and cannot afford them. Find out the manufacturer of your drugs by asking your physician or pharmacist and check their website for prescription assistance programs.

Updated: October 25, 2006