The Partnership
The Prescription Drug Assistance Program, otherwise known as the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, is a program that helps uninsured or under-insured patients receive free or low-cost medications. The organization is a partnership of 475 public and private programs who work with more than 200 pharmaceutical companies. The organization sponsors the "Help Is Here Express" bus, which travels across the United States to provide education about drug assistance programs.
Income Eligibility
In order to be eligible for free drugs, the patient must prove that his or her income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. If the patient has insurance but is under-insured, there are a number of programs that will provide co-pay assistance. These programs, such as Pfizer RSVP, have undisclosed income requirements, and often work on a case-specific basis. Programs such as Together Rx Access offer a discount drug card, which can save the patient 26 to 40 percent on specific medications. To be eligible, the patient must earn no more than a $45,000 if single, $60,000 for a family of two, $75,000 for a family of three, $90,000 for a family of four and $105,000 for a family of five. The patient must not have any prescription drug coverage. Merck also offers a discount prescription drug program. There are no income requirements, but the patient must not have any type of prescription drug coverage.
Other Requirements
The application will ask for the patient's state, ZIP code and marital status. Individual assets must not exceed $11,500 for an individual applicant or $21,500 for a married couple living together. In some cases, and for certain drugs, the patient may not be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran's Assistance or state assistance. The patient must also be a legal United States resident.
Proof of Denial
The patient must present proof of denial letters from Medicaid or insurance companies.
Doctor's Prescription
A prescription for the medication should accompany the application, and the doctor must sign the application. In many cases, the medications are delivered to the doctor's office.
Appealing the Decision
If the application is denied, the patient can enlist the services of a health -are advocate and write an appeal. For example, if you have coverage but are facing a medical or financial hardship, you can fill out an application for Pfizer's Hardship Exception Program.
