Patient Assistance Program for the Uninsured and Under-Insured

Dec. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Patient Assistance Program AKA Prescription Assistance Program (PAP)

A staggering number of people in America have to choose between paying their bills and paying for their prescription medications. (1)Dr. David Lipischitz said “patients without health insurance and those insured patients with high co-pays or deductibles may never fill a prescription.” Without insurance, people who need special medication to treat conditions like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression would have to pay hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to purchase their prescription medications at retail pharmacies.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-vPGN88Wq1Y#!

Medication adherence is a major problem in America according to (2)Reuters Health, between 28 percent and 31 percent of new prescriptions go unfilled and patients are suffering. According to the (3)World Health Organization, approximately 50% of all patients are nonadherent to medications. In response, Rx Med Assist serves people in extreme medical and financial need by assisting patients obtain lifesaving medicines through a physician-based referral program, the Patient Assistance Program (PAP).  

Rx Med Assist assists patients in the United States who would not otherwise have access to prescription drugs for chronic or long-term conditions.  To learn more and apply for the (PAP), visit http://yousavemore.org/pap.html

Program Description

(4)Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) provide low cost prescription medicine to people who are uninsured or under-insured and meet income guidelines. ("Under insured" can mean your specific prescription medication may not be covered under your drug plan).

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture the medicine.

The comprehensive services provided with this program include:

•   Evaluate your eligibility.
•   Research the availability of the medications you need.
•   Match your individual prescriptions to the appropriate programs.
•   Advise you of your options and recommend the programs that meet your needs.

Once you are ready to apply for the Patient Assistance Programs your advocate will:

•   Access the forms and fulfill the application processing for each patient, thus becoming the communication link between the physician’s office and the Pharmaceutical Companies.
•   Order your refills as needed.
•   Inform you when it is time to renew your applications.
•   Answer your questions and make updates to your information.
•   Stay current on trends and changes in available programs and how they affect your situation.

There is a one-time application fee of $25 which is refunded if you were to not be approved for the program. You will pay only $20 per medication per month on most medications, upon approval for the program.

Glossary

Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

A program administered by a pharmaceutical company that provides financial assistance with prescription drug costs. PAPs offer no cost or discounted prescription drugs to those who qualify. These programs are offered by the Pharmaceutical Manufactures and Companies on a voluntary basis.

Underinsured Individual

An individual who has insurance that covers only some health care costs. Example of those that may find themselves under insured even though they have a traditional health insurance policies are those that are covered with a major medical policy, Health Savings Account(HSA), policy with limited prescription drug coverage.

Uninsured Individual

An individual who has no health coverage or prescription drug coverage.

Overview of Prescription Assistance Programs

Pharmaceutical Companies offer Prescription Assistance Programs in order to provide free or discounted medication for individuals who are: uninsured; underinsured; or ineligible for government assistance with prescription drug coverage. Program that offers no cost prescription drugs to those who meet the eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements are usually based on income, members of household, must be without prescription drug coverage and ineligible for government assistance with prescription drug coverage. Prescription savings and discount programs are for qualified individuals and families without prescription drug coverage but are above the income guidelines to receive their medications at no cost.

Varies types of programs for individual and families in special circumstances provides by the Pharmaceutical Company sponsored programs

There a variety of Prescription Assistance Programs available to help you better manage your condition such as:

A program that offers selected antibiotics at no cost to anyone, regardless of insurance coverage. Programs providing a reduced cost prescription drug plan for on selected generic medications.

Critical Illness

Programs for those with critical illness such as and are in need of cancer medicines and non-cancer medicines.  Other critical illnesses that can be taken into special circumstance are those with HIV, Auto Immune Disorders, Organ Transplants, Hepatitis, AIDS.

Medicare Recipients

Programs provides no cost medicines to people enrolled in a Medicare drug plan who meet the program requirements. Provide medicines to people who choose not to enroll in Medicare drug plan who meet the program requirements.

What makes a person eligible for these Prescription Assistance Programs?

Each pharmaceutical company will have its own eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements are usually based on income, members of household, must be without prescription drug coverage and ineligible for government assistance with prescription drug coverage. Total medical cost may also be considered.

Is every medication available on a Prescription Assistance Program?

There are over 2700 medications available on Prescription Assistance Programs.
Brand name products have programs directly from its manufacture. Many selected generic medications are also available on the programs. Medications for these specific illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis, Aids, Cancer, HIV, Auto Immune Disorders, Organ Transplant or other rare disorders are extremely expensive and are therefore subject to special circumstance or exceptional medical hardship guidelines by the companies that manufacture them.

References:

1.   Stopping or Not Filling Prescription is a Bad Idea. Dr. David Lipischitz. http://www.creators.com/health/david-lipschitz-lifelong-h...
2.   Reuters Health. Many patients may never fill new prescriptions: February 17, 2010. Available at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/02/17/us-new-prescrip...
3.   National Council on Patient Information and Education. Enhancing prescription medicine adherence: a national action plan. August 2007. Available at: http://www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/enhancing_prescription_medicine_adherence.pdf Accessed April 5, 2010.
4.   Rx Med Assist. Prescription Assistance Program. http://yousavemore.org/pap.html

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Community Assistance Program (CAP) is a free program Helping the Uninsured and the Under Insured across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which has saved cardholders over $200,000.000.00 in prescription savings since October 2009.