Assistance with Prescription Drug Costs for Uninsured Patients

Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Examples of service referrals include:

• Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
• Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug, and alcohol intervention
• Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
• Support for older adults and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services
• Support for children, youth, and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services
   

Children and adults with leukemia in the U.S., healthcare professionals and researchers

To support research efforts towards finding the causes and cure for leukemia.

• Patient Aid Program offers limited funds (up to $3,000 per year) to assist with certain treatments, services and prescriptions; funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis
• Matching Dollar Program matches up to $3,000 in donations raised by the applicant, family or friends during a specific time period
• CLRA funds grants to doctors conducting promising research about leukemia.

Anyone seeking prescription price information in the U.S.

To help consumers make better financial choices when filling prescriptions.

• Provides prices and discounts for prescription drugs at more than 70,000 local and mail-order pharmacies in the U.S.  Enter the name of any drug (generic or brand-name) into an online form, enter a location (city, state, or ZIP), and information about prices at both local and mail order pharmacies will be provided.

• Offers information about drug side effects, prescription assistance programs (if available), and the availability of generics.

Families whose child is under the age of 21 and diagnosed with a pediatric cancer before age 18

To be a leader in childhood cancer research and advocacy while providing financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling cancer.

• Provides financial assistance for a variety of needs to pediatric cancer families while the child is undergoing treatment; social worker from treatment facility must apply on behalf of the family
• Works with funeral homes to provide assistance towards memorial costs for children whose battle with cancer has ended
• Funds pediatric cancer research.

Patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers

To help patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers learn more about the resources available through various biopharmaceutical industry programs. 

• The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) created a search engine designed for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to learn about public and private assistance programs to help those with financial need get access to prescription medicines, including some free or nearly free options.
• Provides general information about health insurance and helpful resources.

People needing financial assistance for medication and related health care costs in the U.S.

To help people in need find financial assistance programs that help them afford their medications and costs related to health care. Needy Meds is an online information resource. Offers information about:

• Coupons, rebates, discounts and more offered by various drug companies
• Application Assistance: organizations that assist patients with completing Patient Assistance Program (PAP) applications for free or a small fee
• Disease-Based Assistance programs: for specific diseases or medical conditions
• Free and low cost clinics searchable by state.
• Drug Discount Cards to help people save on their prescriptions; vary widely from company to company
• Needy Meds free discount card that you can download from the website; requires no registration or identifying information.

Children with serious illness 18 years old or younger, or ages 19 to 21 if they have a child-like mental state

Oracle Health Foundation (formerly Cerner Charitable Foundation/First Hand Foundation) is building healthier tomorrows and stronger communities around the world by providing individual medical grants and wellness programs, engaging volunteerism, community initiatives and strategic partnerships. Applications are accepted from the United States & Canada, and through select international providers.

• Treatment: clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.
• Equipment: wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.
• Displacement: lodging, food, gas, parking and transportation for families of seriously ill children who must travel during treatment
• Vehicle modifications: lifts, ramps and transfer boards.
   

People with cancer in the United States

RemediChain accepts donations of unopened, unexpired oral chemotherapy and matches those donations with vulnerable cancer patients in need.

• Program is free for all patients and does not require insurance.
• Donated medications are inspected by a licensed pharmacist before being added to inventory.
• Medications are shipped directly to patient’s accepting oncologist, who dispenses the medication to the patient. 
• Text, call, or go to the website to donate or request medication.

RxAssist is an online resource center with information about patient assistance programs, Medicare Part D, programs for low cost medications and other issues related to pharmaceutical access.

Families of children with cancer in the U.S.

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation has four areas of focus: financial assistance, childhood cancer research, awareness and spreading positivity

• Provide financial assistance to families of children with cancer (application form and eligibility criteria are on the website)
• Fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and advancements in treatment protocols
• Increase awareness of childhood cancer and advocate for increased research funds
• Spread the B+ Message of being positive

People with a diagnosis of a blood cancer or rare cancer, caregivers, health professionals

To improve the lives and survival rates of people living with blood cancer and rare cancers worldwide, with a focus on underserved populations in developing countries.

• Provides free services of advocacy, emotional support, informational referrals and fundraising mentorship.
• Facilitates access to treatment, partners with healthcare providers and builds advocacy efforts in communities around the world.

Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and health professionals

To help navigate cancer survivorship from the point of diagnosis throughout life, by providing education on all types of cancer survivorship topics

• Offers free in-person and online educational events, a speakers bureau, and online educational materials and tools. Resources cover a wide array of topics including guides on reasonable accommodations, chemo brain, insurance, employment, finances, etc.