Save Money on Medications
January deductibles are approaching, and many pre- and post-transplant recipients go through obstacles obtaining medication at an affordable cost. I want to share an experience with you. Each individual's experience is unique-the following will help you navigate this complex issue.
Part D
Any prescription deductible must be paid before any insurance or Medicare Part D takes effect. This could leave you short on money at the beginning of the year and possibly the end of the year by falling into the Part D donut hole. This happens when you are between the initial Part D coverage—before you have spent $4,430 out of pocket for covered drugs—and when the “catastrophic coverage” kicks in—when you reach $7,500 in out of pocket costs. Between those two amounts, you are basically not covered.
There is a way to keep this from happening; last year I was discussing the high cost with my pharmacist. My pharmacist said, “let me look at the cash price,” my prescription went from $86.00 insurance to $20.00 cash. I happily paid the $20.00 dollars, from that point on I ask the pharmacist to check. Whatever is the least amount; insurance deductible or cash price is what I pay. Since starting this year, I have saved money and been able to keep myself from going into the abyss of the Part D donut hole.
Copay Cards cannot be used for Part D payments. If you have any Medicare insurance coverage, copay cards cannot be used.
Commercial Insurance
If you have commercial insurance, you can go to the drug manufacturer website to see if a copay card is offered.
Pharmaceutical Companies
If you are getting your medication sent directly from the pharmaceutical company the unwritten rule or deadline for receiving drugs is two weeks prior to the end of the year. After a certain period, companies will wait until the next year, and you may not qualify because you haven’t met the criteria because it is a new year.
The following is a partial list of programs that may be able to provide assistance to you. Please remember to check the medications list to see if the product(s) you are taking are covered under the fund or patient assistance program for which you are applying.
I cannot express this enough; it is vitally important to not waste your time applying for a grant or copay assistance that does not apply to you.
The information provided is from the companies’ website:
Cost Plus Drugs
www.costplusdrugs.com
“Everyone should have safe, affordable medicines with transparent prices.” – Mark Cuban
Cost Plus Drugs works with all medications listed on their site, you will need to request a new prescription from your U.S. based provider to place an order.
1. Find your medication
2. Ask your doctor to send out pharmacy partner your prescription
3. Receive your medications
Cost plus shows you their cost, they put a 15% percent markup, charge $3.00 for pharmacy labor with one additional cost at checkout shipping is $5.00.
Drugs.com
www.drugs.com
Allows you to:
Look up medication
Identify medication
Who manufacturers the medicine and if you click on their link you will find their dedicated patient assistance programs.
Fund Finder
https://fundfinder.panfoundation.org/Home/Index
FundFinder now features a directory of more than 150 patient advocacy organizations that provide dedicated patient services including helplines, peer counseling, disease-specific education, and more.
HealthWell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
Our Mission: To reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases.
• Prescription copays
• Health insurance premiums, deductibles and coinsurance
• Pediatric treatment costs
• Travel costs
National Organization for Rare Disorder (NORD)
https://rarediseases.org/for-patients-and-families/help-access-medications/patient-assistance-programs-2/#section-1
RareCare®
Since 1987, NORD has provided assistance programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford. These programs provide medication, financial assistance with insurance premiums and co-pays, diagnostic testing
Patient Advocate Foundation
https://www.patientadvocate.org
A national 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity that provides direct services to patients with chronic, life threatening and debilitating diseases to help access care and treatment recommended by their doctor.
Services & Programs
Co-Pay Relief Program
Financial Aid Funds
Apply for Scholarships
Patient Assistance Network (PAN) Foundation
https://www.panfoundation.org/
The PAN Foundation is an independent, national 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic and rate disease with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications.
Patient Services Incorporated (PSI)
http://www.patientservicesinc.org/
Medical expenses shouldn’t control your life. Founded by a patient for patients, we know the challenges of chronic illness. We’re here to help pay for your medication, provide health insurance premium and copay assistance, navigate health insurance plans, give legal advice, and be there every step of the way.
PhRMA
https://www.phrma.org/advocacy/access/patient-assistance
Navigating the complexities of today’s health care system can be confusing and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. America’s biopharmaceutical research companies that make up PhRMA have partnered with health care providers, pharmacists, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help patients afford their medicines by creating the Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT). MAT makes it easier for those struggling to afford their medicines to find and learn about various programs that may be available to make prescription medicines more affordable for them, their loved ones or their patients.
RX Outreach
https://rxoutreach.org/
At Rx Outreach, we believe that everyone deserves access to affordable medications. No one should ever have to choose between filling a prescription and feeding their family. That’s why Rx Outreach exists. Since 2010, we have saved our patients more than $822 million in prescription medication costs.
· From the organization TRIO. Written by Lorrinda Gray Davis