The American Cancer Society understands the growing concern over the high cost of prescription drugs. We are committed to helping patients to make informed decisions on ways to reduce the costs of their prescription drugs.

There are many public and private resources that can help patients with the cost of their medicines. Some of these programs have options for buying drugs at discounted prices. Others help patients who cannot afford any part of their medicine costs. To help you find the best option for getting your medicine, we’ve spoken to pharmacists and drug companies and searched the Internet for information that can be helpful to patients.

Here you will find information on drug assistance programs for many different types of patients, including those who:

• need financial help
• are age 55 or older
• have Medicare or are eligible for Medicare
• are not eligible for Medicare, have no drug coverage, and are on a limited income
• have insurance
• want to explore Medicaid
• are interested in saving money on prescription drugs
• want to purchase drugs online

All of these programs have certain requirements that must be met in order to get help from the program. You will need to give them some basic information about yourself and your finances. All the programs require that you complete an application form, and most will require some information from your doctor. Near the end of the document we give you step-by-step advice in the section, "If You are Planning to Apply for Drug Assistance."

If You Need Financial Help

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

Web site: www.pparx.org
Phone: 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance program is a group of drug companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups that help patients who don't have prescription coverage find assistance programs that are right for them. They offer access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by drug companies.

To find programs that may be right for you, call the toll-free number or fill out the confidential online form. You will be asked about:

• the drugs you take
• your age
• where you live
• your annual income
• number of people living in your household
• insurance coverage

If you fill out the online form, answers are quickly compared to the requirements for the different programs, and you will be able to see a list of programs that might be helpful to you. From here, you can download each program's application form and instructions for applying. Both telephone and online services are available in Spanish or English.

Your doctor or nurse can also use the Web site to find programs for you and then complete the required application forms for you and send them by e-mail or fax.

NeedyMeds, Inc.

Web site: www.needymeds.com
Phone: 1-215-625-9609 (voicemail for patients without Internet access)

The NeedyMeds Web site provides information on many drug assistance programs, including requirements and application forms. It includes some of the same programs as the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, but in a format that might be easier for some patients to use. NeedyMeds, Inc. offers only information. It does not help with specific problems or do individual searches for drug assistance programs.

If You Are Age 55 or Older

BenefitsCheckUp

Web site: www.benefitscheckup.org (select "Find More Benefits Programs…")

Provided by the National Council on the Aging, BenefitsCheckUp is an online resource for people age 55 and older who find it hard to pay for their medicines. This resource includes over 1,500 programs for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. By answering questions about where you are, your income, and your medicines, this service can find drug assistance programs that are available to you. The Web site also includes another questionnaire that searches for programs to help with rent, property taxes, meals, and other needs.

If You Have Medicare or Are Medicare-Eligible

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Web site: www.medicare.gov
Phone: 1-800-633-4227 or 1-800-MEDICARE (English and Spanish-speaking staff are available at this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

The Federal government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site identifies available drug assistance programs and can help you pick the right Medicare-approved prescription drug plan (Part D) based on where you live, your income, and the drugs you take. You can join a Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan if:

• you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B, and
• you don't have outpatient prescription drug benefits through Medicaid (your state may call this Medical Assistance)

If you're enrolled in a state pharmacy assistance program (not Medicaid), you can still get a Medicare Part D card. If you have prescription drug coverage through your current health insurance or you get discounts on your prescriptions through other programs, you should review your coverage closely to see if the Medicare drug plan will save you more money on your prescriptions.

Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx)

Web site: www.maprx.info

Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) links you to information about the Medicare Part D Drug Program. It answers common questions about the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, and has a state-by-state listing of other possible resources and programs.

While MAPRx does not directly serve Medicare recipients, it is a good source of information provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare Rights Center, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and many other organizations and agencies. Free fact sheets can be downloaded from the Web site.

If You Are Not Eligible for Medicare, Do Not Have Drug Coverage, and Have Limited Income

Together Rx Access Card

Web site: www.together-rxaccess.com
Phone: 1-800-444-4106

The Together Rx Access Card has been created to help people who do not have prescription drug coverage save on brand-name prescription drugs, other prescription products, and a wide range of generic drugs. To get a card, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• not eligible for Medicare
• no prescription drug coverage (public or private)
• household income equal to or less than $30,000 for a single person, $40,000 for a family of two, $50,000 for a family of three, $60,000 for a family of four, and $70,000 for a family of five (income limits may be higher in Alaska and Hawaii)
• legal United States resident

Both the Web site and telephone assistance are available in either English or Spanish.

If You Have Health Insurance

HealthWell Foundation

Web site: www.healthwellfoundation.org
Phone: 1-800-675-8416

HealthWell Foundation is a non-profit, charitable group that helps certain people who cannot pay for their prescription drug costs, insurance premiums, and co-payments of private insurance, employer-sponsored insurance plans, Medicare, or Medicaid. It also can help with some other out-of-pocket health care costs.

The program serves only those with certain health conditions, which are posted on the Web site. Only certain cancers are included in their coverage. Types of help may be limited, even to those who qualify and have a condition that they cover.

Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Assistance Program

Web site: www.copays.org
Phone: 1-866-512-3861

The Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief Assistance Program helps patients who meet certain requirements pay for the prescriptions and treatments they need. This program is available only to people with certain medical conditions who also have insurance (including Medicare or Medicaid). Only certain cancers are included in their program.

Both the Web site and telephone assistance are available in either English or Spanish.

Patient Services Incorporated (PSI)

Web site: www.uneedpsi.org
Phone: 1-800-366-7741

Patient Services Incorporated is a national, non-profit group that helps patients with certain chronic illnesses and their families with health insurance premiums and medicine co-payments. Families needing help with the high cost of their health insurance premiums or co-payments are offered help based on the severity of their medical and financial need. PSI also helps locate and purchase health insurance coverage. Only a few cancers are included in this program.

Patient Access Network Foundation

Web site: www.patientaccessnetwork.org
Phone: 1-866-316-7263 (for patients without Internet access)

Patient Access Network Foundation is a non-profit group that helps under-insured patients who cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for their treatment. The program helps patients with certain medical conditions who meet their financial, insurance, and medical requirements. (For instance, the drugs must be covered by the patient's insurance.) Only certain cancers are included in their program.

If You Are Interested in Getting Medicaid

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Web site: www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/

Medicaid is a federally-funded, state-run program that helps people and families with very limited incomes and resources. It pays for health care costs, including doctor visits, hospital visits, and prescription costs. Qualifications and benefits vary from state to state. Contact your State Health Department for more information by telephone. (It is listed in the blue pages of your local phone book.) You can find your local Social Security, Welfare, or Department of Human Services office by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/locator or calling 1-800-772-1213.

If You Are Interested in Saving Money on Prescription Drugs

When purchasing medications, consider:

• Are you over age 50? AARP offers discounts on mail-in ordered drugs.
• Are you a member of a managed care health program? Consider a 90-day supply of your medicine rather than a one-month supply. You'll pay one co-payment instead of 3.
• Is a generic brand of the drug available? A generic brand of your prescribed medicine might be available for less.

If you are looking at getting a discount prescription card, here are some things to think about:

• Are your prescription medicines covered by the discount card?
• What prices does the discount card offer for your medicines?
• Are the prices lower than other discounts (such as senior discounts) already offered by your pharmacy?
• Is there a charge or fee for the card? If so, what is it?
• Does your local pharmacy accept the discount card?

If You Are Considering Buying Drugs Online

The American Cancer Society does not have an official policy on purchasing drugs online or in other countries, but you might find the information below helpful in deciding whether this option is right for you.

Buying prescription drugs online can save about 20% to 30%, but there is no way to guarantee the product's safety. If you buy medical products online, be aware of these dangers:

• Buying medicines from an illegal Web site puts you at risk. You may get a contaminated or fake product, the wrong product, an incorrect dose, or no product at all.

• Taking an unsafe medicine puts you at risk for dangerous drug interactions and other serious health outcomes.

• Getting a prescription drug by filling out a questionnaire without seeing a doctor puts you at serious health risks. A questionnaire does not give enough information for a health care professional to decide if that drug is right for you, safe for you to use, whether another treatment may be better, or if you have an underlying medical condition that may make using that drug harmful to you. The American Medical Association has found that this practice is generally substandard medical care.

Consider these tips when buying health products online:

• Contact the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net or 847-391-4406) to find out whether a Web site is a licensed pharmacy in good standing.

• Don't buy from sites that offer to prescribe a prescription drug for the first time without a physical exam, sell a prescription drug without a prescription, or sell drugs not approved by FDA.

• Don't do business with sites that do not have a registered pharmacist to answer questions.

• Avoid sites that do not identify with whom you are dealing and do not provide a U.S. address and phone number to contact if there's a problem.

• Look for easy-to-find and easy-to-understand privacy and security policies. Don't give out any personally identifiable information (social security number, credit card, and health history) unless you are sure that the site will protect them. Make sure the site does not share your information with others without your permission.

• It is illegal to import drugs bought from foreign Web sites, the risks are greater, and there is very little that can be done if you get ripped off.

• Beware of sites that advertise a "new cure" for a serious illness or a quick cure-all for a wide range of ailments.

• Be careful of sites that use impressive-sounding terms to disguise a lack of good science or those that claim the government, the medical profession, or research scientists have worked together to keep people from finding out about or using a product.

• Steer clear of sites that include undocumented case histories claiming "amazing" results.

• Talk to your healthcare professional before using any medicines for the first time.

Other Ideas to Explore

There may be other public and private resources you will be able to find on your own, including:

• federal programs for military personnel or veterans
• state programs for seniors, disabled, or low income
• county, city, or community programs
• religious or charity groups
• patient advocacy groups

You might want to look on the Internet, in a phone directory, or other outlets for resources in your area. Do not hesitate to ask agencies about drug assistance programs -- if they have none themselves, they may be able to direct you to an agency that does.

If You Are Planning to Apply for a Patient Drug Assistance Program

Please know that each pharmaceutical (drug) company with a Patient Assistance Program sets requirements for its own program. The requirements may vary from one company to the next. But in general, you will qualify if:

• You are not covered by a private insurance plan that pays for your prescription drugs.
• You do not qualify for any government (state or federal) program that will pay for your prescription drugs.
• Payment for your prescription drugs at the retail price will cause you a financial hardship.
• You complete their application process and give the company all the required information.

Some programs allow your doctor to simply write a letter stating that you have a financial hardship. This is where your doctor can play a vital role in the application process.

How to Apply for a Drug Assistance Program

1. Get a copy of the application forms.

First you will want to get a copy of an application for each assistance program to which you wish to apply. If you are taking more than one drug, you can apply for more than one program. (You can get the applications by printing them from the Web sites or calling the phone numbers listed in the front part of this document.)

2. Follow instructions carefully.

After you have the applications, follow the instructions on each form very carefully. Generally they require your name, address, and contact information.

Some forms request proof of income, and you must provide this in order to get help. It can usually be your check stubs for the past 3 months, last year's income tax form, a social security benefit letter, etc.

You must answer each question; if you do not, the application will be returned to you.

3. Ask your doctor to help.

Take each application form to your doctor. He or she will need to provide medical information, including a prescription for your drugs. Sometimes your doctor will only have to write a letter on his or her stationery explaining why you need help.

4. Mail the forms to the drug companies.

Be sure that your doctor mails the forms to each drug company to be considered for approval. If you mail the forms back yourself, please be sure that the prescriptions are included with the application.

The drug company will review and decide whether or not to approve your application. Within a few weeks the drugs are mailed, usually to your doctor's office, at no cost to you. Your doctor will give you the medicines.

5. Reapply for more drug.

To keep the supply of drugs coming, you will need to re-apply along with a new prescription from your doctor a few weeks before you run out of the drug. Some drug companies will include a renewal application in your shipment; with others you might have to call for a renewal form. It's up to you to re-submit your request in time.

Helpful Tips

• Remember that drug companies rely on your doctor's recommendations, so he or she plays a key role in your acceptance. If your doctor does not know about these programs, ask him or her to call the Director of the Assistance Program you are looking at.

• Make a copy of all the forms and letters before they are mailed. File your copy in a safe place and use it for your renewal application.

• If a drug manufacturer does not approve your application, ask your doctor to prescribe a different or generic medicine and then re-apply to a new drug company.

If You Don't Live in the United States

If you live outside the USA, but want to fill prescriptions in the USA for drugs that you cannot get in your country

To get a prescription filled in the United States, a doctor licensed in the US must actually write the prescription. So if you live abroad, you must first get a prescription from a licensed doctor in the US. If this is not possible, you can try contacting the drug manufacturer directly to see if there is any way for you to get the drug in the country where you live.

Additional Resources

More Information From Your American Cancer Society

The following related information may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345.

After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families (also available in Spanish)

Children Diagnosed with Cancer: Financial and Insurance Issues

Clinical Trials: State Laws Regarding Insurance Coverage

Compassionate Drug Use

Financial Guidance for Cancer Survivors and Their Families: Advanced Illness

Financial Guidance for Cancer Survivors and Their Families: In Treatment (also available in Spanish)

Financial Guidance for Cancer Survivors and Their Families: Off Treatment

Medical Insurance and Financial Assistance for the Cancer Patient

Medicare Part D: Things You May Want To Know

Off-Label Drug Use

National Organizations and Web Sites*

Americans With Disabilities Act
Telephone: 1-800-514-0301; 1-800-514-0383 (TTY)
Internet address: http://www.ada.gov

Association of Community Cancer Centers
Internet address: http://www.accc-cancer.org

Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC)
Telephone: 866-843-2572 (may need to leave a number for a call back)
Internet address: www.cancerlegalresourcecenter.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Telephone: 1-877-696-6775
Internet address: http://www.hhs.gov
Information on TANF: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofa/

Health Insurance Info Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
Internet address: http://healthinsuranceinfo.net

Medicare Hotline
Telephone: 1-800-633-4227
Internet address: http://www.medicare.gov

National Cancer Institute
Telephone: 1-800-422-6237 or 1-800-4-CANCER; 1-800-332-8615 (TTY)
Internet address: http://www.cancer.gov

Social Security Administration (SSI)
Telephone: 1-(800) 772-1213 / 1-(800) 325-0778 (TTY)
Internet address: http://www.socialsecurity.gov

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Telephone: 1-800-955-4572
Internet address: http://www.lls.org

U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits, Security Administration (EBSA)
Information on COBRA, Medicaid, Medigap, FMLA
Telephone: 1-866-444-3272
Internet address: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa

*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

Other Publications

Landay, David. Be Prepared: The Complete Financial, Legal, and Practical Guide for Living with Cancer, HIV, and other Life-challenging Conditions. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998.

No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Last Medical Review: 08/19/2008
Last Revised: 09/19/2008