Advocating for yourself
Financial aid and patient assistance programs for the insured

The following is a list of financial aid and patient assistance programs provided by companies, government and nonprofit organizations. These programs offer a variety of financial aid and health insurance support services. Start with the manufacturer of your drug, as the company may be able to offer the fastest assistance.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE INSURED

COMPANY PROGRAMS:

AMEVIVE, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
www.amevive.com
866.263.8483

Amevive Start Assistance Program (ASAP)
www.amevive.com/asap.htm
866.263.8483

Insured individuals with high copayments and other out-of-pocket costs will be referred to the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) and Health Well Foundation. If NORD is unable to provide assistance, patients may be eligible for the Loyalty Script Program, managed by Amevive. This program offers a card with up to $200/per injection toward the cost of the drug, although patients are responsible for the first $20. If no cards are available at your dermatologist’s office, he/she is able to call the specialty pharmacy and request a card be sent to the office for you.

Daavlin
www.daavlin.com
800.322.8546 x212

Home Phototherapy Free Insurance Assistance Program

Daavlin offers free insurance assistance for those patients who are in the process of purchasing a home phototherapy unit. Experienced staff will handle every aspect of an insurance claim from start to finish. This may include an explanation of benefits, as well as obtaining pre-authorizations and payments. Daavlin’s insurance representatives use electronic claims filing and personal phone calls to monitor the status of patient claims, and will fight for the highest level of insurance coverage possible. Representatives will even assist with filing appeals within health plans. 

ENBREL, Amgen and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
www.enbrel.com
888.436.2735

Enliven Services
www.enbrel.com
888.436.2735

This free program assists individuals prescribed Enbrel by offering needed materials such as sharps (needles) containers and cotton swab kits. Patients eligible for financial assistance are referred to the ENcourage Foundation (see financial assistance for the uninsured).

HUMIRA, Abbott
www.humira.com
847.937.6100

“My Humira” Reimbursement Center
800.448.6472

This program offers financial aid to those with unaffordable insurance copayments. Eligibility is based on a patient’s out-of-pocket costs, diagnosis and the specialty of his/her doctor. Eligible patients will be sent a copayment card with a summary of benefits provided.

Some patients may need to try other medications before using Humira.  These requirements are referred to as “prior authorizations.”If no prior authorization is required, patients will receive the card with up to $750/mo. for the first month, $325/mo. for months 2 through 6, and up to $325/mo. for months 7 through 12, with the patient responsible for the first $50. Patients are responsible for all additional out-of-pocket costs.

RAPTIVA, Genentech, Inc.
www.raptiva.com
800.626.3553

Raptiva Access Solutions
www.raptivaaccesssolutions.com
866.480.7762

Raptiva Access Solutions refers those individuals who have been approved for Raptiva, but are in need of copayment assistance, to outside organizations for financial aid. Patients are not required to fill out an application; they simply need to contact Raptiva Access Solutions for a referral. This program also offers assistance with insurance appeals and denials, renewals of prescriptions and requirements to try other medications before using Raptiva.

REMICADE, Centocor
www.remicade.com
888.779.9769

RemiStart
888.221.3771

RemiStart is a rebate program that provides financial aid for the cost of infusions to those who qualify. Based on eligibility, RemiStart may be able to provide a drug rebate based on your medication out-of-pocket cost for up to $400/infusion, with a maximum benefit of $3,200. Patients cannot be enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare or any other patient assistance programs.

GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT PROGRAMS:

Access2wellness
www.access2wellness.com
866.317.2775

Many people find themselves choosing between medications and other important necessities of life. Access2wellness provides one of the broadest lists of financial assistance programs that offer more than 1,000 prescription medications, for free or at a discount, to those who qualify.

American Association for Retired People (AARP)
www.aarppharmacy.com
800.289.8849

Discounts on some pharmaceutical products are available to members.

Benefits Checkup
www.benefitscheckup.org

Designed for people over age 55, this online tool can be used to connect patients to government programs that help pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other needs. The site contains information on more than 1,300 programs across the nation.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

• Medicare
  A government-funded health insurance program for retired individuals who have reached the age of 65, or who become disabled.

• Medigap
  There are 12 different supplemental programs which help cover out-of-pocket costs (i.e. copays, doughnut hole) for Medicare recipients. For example, if your income is below a certain level, you may be eligible for increased benefits. Please contact your State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for more information. Contact information for your SHIP can be found by calling the Health Assistance Partnership at 202.737.6340 or by visiting the following link, http://www.healthassistancepartnership.org/ship-locator/.

Founded in 2003, the Chronic Disease Fund provides assistance to patients who are underinsured and need assistance with copayments for expensive, specialty drugs, such as biologics.

The Free Medicine Program
www.freemedicinefoundation.com
573.996.3333

The mission of the Free Medicine Foundation is to help patients of all ages obtain free prescription drugs. Those without prescription drug coverage, with low-incomes or those with maxed-out prescription benefits are encouraged to apply. Individuals with Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income without prescription coverage and those who earn too much to qualify for public assistance such as Medicaid may also apply.

Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
www.healthinsuranceinfo.net

This institute makes available state-specific consumer guides on getting and keeping health insurance. Many of these guides offer additional financial aid and patient assistance resources and programs.

HealthWell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
800.675.8416

The HealthWell Foundation is an independent, charitable organization that assists eligible individuals in obtaining prescription medications. The Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to pay insurance premiums, prescription drug coinsurance, copayments and deductibles and other select out-of-pocket health costs. Individuals covered by private insurance, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare or Medicaid may be eligible.

Kaiser Family Foundation
www.kff.org/consumerguide

In addition to the internal review of appeals conducted by a health plan, many states also conduct “external reviews” or “independent reviews.” Learn more and find contact information for your state insurance commission at this Web site.

National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD)
Chronic Plaque Psoriasis (CPP) Premium/Copayment assistance program
www.rarediseases.org
www.rarediseases.org/programs/medication
203.744.0100
800.999.6673

NORD works with people who are uninsured, who have policies that do not reimburse prescription medications or who have policies that cover only a certain amount of drug costs per year.

NeedyMeds, Inc.
www.needymeds.com

Search this online database for financial assistance programs by drug brand name, generic name or program name.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
www.pparx.org
888.477.2669

This program’s mission is to increase awareness of patient financial assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Patient Action Network Foundation
www.patientaccessnetwork.org
866.316.7263

The Patient Action Network Foundation supports insured patients who cannot afford the high out-of-pocket costs associated with their medical care.

Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
800.532.5274

Patient Advocate Foundation offers assistance to patients with specific issues they are facing with their insurer, employer and/or creditor regarding health insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters that relate to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases. The Foundation can provide assistance with insurance appeals; access to medications; expedited application for Social Security Disability, Medicare, Medicaid and other social programs; denial of health benefits and transportation to medical treatment.

Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of American (PhRMA)
www.phrma.org
202.835.3400
Use this Web site, sponsored by PhRMA and participating pharmaceutical companies, to search for information and application forms for company and state programs by company name, drug name or state. Applications for certain programs are available online.

RxHope
www.rxhope.com
732.507.7400

RxHope directly manages patient financial assistance programs for pharmaceutical companies of all sizes. Through RxHope, you can explore many different assistance programs available to patients.

Volunteers in Health
www.rxassist.org

Although this site is primarily for healthcare providers, it contains some information designed specifically for patients. Be sure to review the information pack on medication assistance, a guide for those who cannot afford all or some of their prescription drug costs. Assistance programs can also be searched by company, drug name and drug class.

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