Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) have emerged in an effort to help patients who lack health insurance or prescription drug coverage access the medications they need but can’t afford.
These programs are typically offered by pharmaceutical companies to provide free or low cost prescription drugs to qualifying individuals. By providing financial assistance for hundreds of medications, PAPs provide a valuable resource to patients, helping them comply with recommended drug regimens and, in turn, obtain better health outcomes.
Eligibility For PAPs:
To qualify for PAPs, applicants are required to have:
- Limited or no prescription drug coverage from public or private sources (such as Medicare or Medicaid)
- A demonstrated financial need (in most cases, a person’s income needs to fall below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or residence
How Can I Enroll?
Although there is no standard enrollment process, most PAPs require the patient and/or their health care provider to complete an application form. A doctor’s signature is almost always required.
The Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) available at https://medicineassistancetool.org/ allows you to search coverage options through PAPs and also matches patients with resources and other cost-sharing programs that help lower out-of-pocket costs.
You can also access a database of PAPs available at www.rxassist.org.
