Below are websites that provide assistance in the form of drug programs, drug coupons, and services to protect healthcare and income benefits.
Prescription Savings
OneRx is a prescription pricing service that delivers insurance payment information and the option of using their OneRx Drug Savings Card. OneRx, available online and as a mobile app (iPhone or Android), lets you know if your prescription will be covered by your insurance, what your copay will be at select pharmacies, and the availability of a drug discount or coupon. Once registered, enter the name of the medication or condition, locate your prescription insurance policy (if applicable) and your preferred pharmacy. You can then check your specific insurance co-pay, compare prices with other policies and pharmacies, and discover if coupons or discounts are available for your prescription. Before leaving your doctor’s office, you will be able to verify if the prescription is covered and which option is the most cost effective. Visit OneRx for additional information. Finally, the site is certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) e-Advertiser Approval Program for public accountability. For more information on the program, visit the NABP website.
GoodRx is a site that provides coupons and general information about drug prices. Some coupons are accessible only by registering with GoodRx, but others are available without commitment. Additionally, coupons can be obtained from the doctor or prescriber, the pharmacy, or the product website. Finally, the site is certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) e-Advertiser Approval Program for public accountability. For more information on the program, visit the NABP website.
Blink Health is an online service that negotiates with drug manufacturers in order to provide lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications, ideal for patients with high copays or no insurance. After locating the drug price, payment is received by Blink Health and a printable Blink Card is issued to the patient. This card, along with the prescription, is presented to the pharmacist at the patient's preferred pharmacy for dispensing. Finally, the site is certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) e-Advertiser Approval Program for public accountability. For more information on the program, visit the NABP website.
Government Programs
The Health Insurance Marketplace, part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a site for insurance companies to list plans intended for the uninsured. Each plan has a preferred-drug list, also known as a formulary. Prices for the same medication may differ from plan to plan. Also, plans come as bronze, silver and gold according to their pricing, with the most expensive plan being platinum. Platinum plans are usually associated with lower out-of-pocket costs and considered part of the out-of-pocket medical expense.
Medicaid Prescription Drug Coverage plans is an optional benefit for those signing up for Medicaid benefits.
Medicare Part D is the U.S. government's prescription drug coverage program, available for most people 65 and older and for people with disabilities. Be aware that most Medicare Prescription Drug Plans have a coverage gap, meaning there is a limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs. That cap is commonly known as "The Donut Hole." However, there is Coverage Gap Guidance available with suggestions on how to lower drug costs while in The Donut Hole.
Medicare also has a list of Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers. The programs can be found by searching for the specific drug you have been prescribed. Find additional information on how Medicare Part D works with Patient Assistance Programs sponsored by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Patient Assistance Programs
PAPs are provided by the pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, talk to your doctor about how these programs may impact you.
The Pharmacy Times, a publication providing practical information for pharmacists, also provides patients with drug manufacturer coupons and information on disease states. From The Pharmacy Times' Cou-Co page, selecting a disease state will lead you to a list of medications, plus educational resources (the first item on the list). Selecting a drug will lead you to a manufacturer coupon. Selecting the educational resources will lead you to articles written by healthcare professionals about your selected condition.
RxAssist provides a database of patient assistance programs, or PAPs, along with tools, news, and articles. The information is intended for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
NeedyMeds also lists PAPs. The site was started by Dr. Richard Sagall, MD, a medical social worker. NeedyMeds is maintained by a non-profit organization and supplies information on PAPs, medications, diagnosis, and government programs.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) provides information about drug programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, HIV/AIDS programs, information about service animal providers, and general information about the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Discount cards for specific medications may also be found on a product's webpage provided by the drug manufacturer. Locating the discount page may not be immediately evident. Visitors to these sites may save time by searching for “assistance” or by calling the manufacturer directly.
Additional Programs
The Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities (CFPD) provides fiduciary services to help people who are elderly or disabled by protecting their supplemental security income or Medicaid benefits. CFPD will also help families provide a third-party trust for a person with special needs and provide case managers to review the rules of receiving funds with beneficiaries. CFPD is a non-profit organization with a pooled trust approved by Colorado Medicaid and Social Security.
