Patient Assistance Programs

[ronr]

I copied this posting from Bob that was in another thread within our forum because I really felt it to be important information that new and old members may be looking for.


Noticed some were talking about the expense of medications, and thought I'd throw in a brief post about the PAP's and how you can take advantage of them.....   THERE IS SOME EXCELLENT INFO HERE........

PAP's are programs offered for the patients who can not afford medications.   (P)atient (A)ssist (P)rograms.

This turned out to be longer than I wanted, but necessary to present most of the information for any of you that might need assistance with your meds........

                               (P)atient (A)ssist (P)rograms & Other Related Information
                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.   RxAssist Program:        http://www.rxassist.org/
  This site contains a lot of information about some of the drug companies, and what they offer.  It is set up for the end user, and the professional needing to obtain information, the forms, qualifications, etc for the various PAP programs.   (If you can not find what you need by using the patient log on, let me know and maybe I can find it by using my account for professionals, there is a lot more information available on that part of the site, than there is for the patients.  Just let me know, preferably via email)


2.   Needy Meds               http://www.needymeds.org/
  Needymeds is an excellent resource.  Although somewhat confusing, it really contains tons of information.  There is info here you won't be able to find in other places, I'd recommend bookmarking this one for sure, if you are seeking help with the high costs of your meds.

3.   http://www.needymeds.org/sponsors/hma/hmainfopage.html     This is information on a company that will help you get the forms, process them, and "walk you through" the procedures to get help via PAP's.   They do CHARGE for their services, if the process of getting help via the PAP's overwhelms you, you might want to consider one of the companies that do charge, it is much easier.   HOWEVER, before you consider spending your hard earned money, and if you feel it is overwhelming, please CONTACT ME before you lay out the funds for one of these services.    
4.  https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php    Another excellent site, for PAP sources, forms, etc.    they have this site divided into three parts, for the patient, the Patient Advocates (Health Care Workers), and then directly for the doctors.   Again, it is one of the sites where I have an Advocate account, and maybe I can help find meds, or forms in the event you need extra assistance.  Their info is free for the public.

5.  http://www.patientassistance.com/          This website contains some of the GENERIC companies that offer PAP's, there are not many, but this site contains the majority of the ones that will help with PAP programs.  

6.  https://www.rxhope.com/Patient/MedSearchHome.aspx     Still another site, with PAP info, contacts, and some printable forms.

7.  http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm
This one tries to focus on some of the medications related to mental illness disorders.   Very good site, good information also.

8.  http://www.phrma.org/email_signup/index.php       Several sources, forms, etc.   Click on the PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS in the middle of the page, near the top.    

9.  This is about the only site you will find information on obtaining Provigil through a PAP.   (Or it used to be, there may be some new ones now that have the info, but many just link back to this site.)    They are the main source for medications pertaining to rare diseases, orphaned medications, and difficult to find medications.  
http://www.rarediseases.org/programs/medication

10.  Your tax dollars at work.   This is a government sponsored site, and it primarily deals with PAP's and how they interact with Medicare.   Although MOST PAP programs are not available if you have Medicare, this site contains drug companies that take it into consideration, and some special forms you can apply for, even if you have Medicare.    http://www.cms.hhs.gov/prescriptiondrugcovgenin/07_papdata.asp

11.  Assistance with Severe Immune System Disorders/AIDS      http://www.aidsinfonyc.org/network/access/index.html

12.  The Patient Advocate Site        http://www.patientadvocate.org/      Highly recommended site, full of good useful information

13.    This is sort of a  BONUS site, if there is a drug trial going on somewhere, it is normally listed, or posted on this site.   Drug trials are often a good source for free meds, and even in some cases, lab tests, X-Rays, etc........
http://www.centerwatch.com/about-centerwatch/

14.      Another BONUS SITE. Access a full blown medical reference, information, site.  Unlike many we find, this one for the most part, is free.   Very in depth medical information.    
http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1388&a=4145&l=en

15.    No free meds here, but tons, of excellent medical tools, .... All free, useful, and informative.
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/clients/haz/general/custom/default.jsp

16.    EVERYONE needs to reflect back to Katrina, this site maintains ALL of your medical info.   Free, private, and secure.    MyHealthArchive is a web - based, secure and private depository for your health information. It is like a bank account except what is being collected and guarded is your medical information.

       You can access the information from anywhere you can get onto the Internet, something like getting access to your bank account through an ATM. You don't have to be at home or the hospital to get your information, you can be out of town or across the globe.            http://www.mediscene.com/

17.   Source of medical Information, just bookmark this one, you'll never regret it.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/home/p_home.cfm

  Just putting together these sites has made me crazy, crosseyed, and almost exhausted.  It has been something I have wanted to do for some time now.   Not nearly complete, but a beginning.   Most of the other sites I have get very medication specific, and have to be presented by the name of the medication.   The list of PAP's is huge, but I do have a fairly complete list of meds if you can't find a PAP for a specific med.

   If anyone needs help with getting their applications underway, I'll help if I can........

Email or PM me if you want to respond, so as not to clutter the forum.
mailto: bobhall@cableone.net

HOW THE PAP's WORK
1. you get the forms, fill them out.   You may have to have info from your doctor, and they may have to fill out parts of the form also.  (Every DRUG company is different)   You may be required to provide tax info, pay check stubs, or various proof of income, some require copies of your expenses for a couple of months.  REMEMBER, this is free, so be prepared to work with them, and put up with their nonsense.

2. Make & KEEP you a copy, and send them off.   Some can go by mail, email, fax, or phone.

3. Some may have a small processing fee, or shipping fee. If it is over $10.00, PLEASE contact me.   If they do require a small payment, be sure to include it with the form.   (Make a note on the calendar when you sent off the forms, important!)

4. Each company differs, the delivery time can run from a few days, until a full month or so.   Be prepared just in case they reject you for some silly reason.  

5. When you get the meds, they may be sent to your home, your doctors office, your local pharmacy, and some are now experimenting with "cards" much like your insurance/Medicare cards and you may be issued one of these.  Each company is different.

6.  Very important, if you are getting more than one med via the PAP's, you will need to know for certain how long it takes for them to get the meds to you.   Check the date you received the meds, and the date you sent out the forms.   This is approximately how long it is going to take for you to get refills.   (( Most companies will send out a 90 day supply, and OK you for a full year, then you will need to RE-DO ALL the paperwork again. ))  It will be to your best interest if you send in a request for refill early, allowing adequate time for the meds to get to you.  Or you may have to endure several days, or even weeks, with NO MEDS.

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What are Patient Assistance Programs?
  Commonly referred to as PAPs, Patient Assistance Programs are services offered by pharmaceutical companies for those who cannot afford their medication. Patient assistance programs are available to low-income individuals or families who are under-insured or uninsured and are provided to those who meet the eligibility guidelines. Assistance may range from reduced cost of drugs to free medicine. Each drug that a company offers will have its own unique program and may even have a different eligibility requirement than the other drugs they offer. As there is no unified standard of designation for these programs, you may also see them referred to as medication assistance programs, indigent drug programs, and charitable drug programs.

      Patient Assistance Programs are not mandated or managed by the federal government and are offered as a free service by the pharmaceutical industry. Nearly all of the major pharmaceutical companies provide specific programs for their most popular drugs. As each program is different, please take a look through our comprehensive database which allows you to search by drug or company name to find your medicines specific patient assistance program. Each profile will provide you with detailed information on how their specific program can assist you with your medication bill and what requirements are needed to qualify for assistance.

Will having Medicare Part D disqualify me?
   Most patient assistance programs disqualify all those eligible for the full low income subsidy through Medicare Part D. If you do not qualify for the full low income subsidy, you should attach documentation from Social Security stating that you are ineligible, to your enrollment form. Please keep in mind that this information varies greatly between different companies and is subject to change without notice. If the profile for the patient assistance program in our database states that you are disqualified for having Medicare Part D, it is recommended that you contact the company directly to request your case be further reviewed. It is not uncommon for exceptions to be made for those facing financial difficulties.

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    I've been thinking about putting all of this together in an eBook.   And I've even thought about (dirty word) selling the book for a very minimal fee...... say around $4-5.00      Do you think anyone might be interested in such information?   Also, I've thought about describing how different pharmacies charge various prices, and how to find the best possible price for your meds.   Some pharmacies just simply rip you off, plain and simple.

Email or PM me if you want to respond, so as not to clutter the forum.
mailto: bobhall@cableone.net

BOB


http://menwithfibro.com/community/index.php?topic=677.msg4258#msg4258

[rwilli]

    Thanks Ron, your a hell of a guy. It must of really hurt you, cause it wore me out just reading it.

   I would like to add that I am in a clinical trial. It takes a year, about once a month. BUT IT PAYS $1500 for doing it. They give me a check so it is outside of any monies being paid to me. So the govt will not know.    rwilli