Assistance with Prescription Drug Costs for Insured 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. Services vary from community to community.

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 Americans 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.

Certain sections of Canada (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. Services vary from community to community.

Examples of service referrals include:

• Health services and support
• Financial and social assistance
• Housing and utility help
• Food assistance and meal programs
• Senior services and home care
• Government program assistance
• Parenting and family programs
• Disability support services
• Volunteer organizations
• Newcomer services
• Mental health support

People affected by a cancer internationally; programs and services offered to patients and caregivers residing in the United States

In the U.S., ACS is a community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

• Provides educational materials both online and in print about cancer, including blood cancers, as well as related information on topics such as diet, exercise, complementary and alternative medicine, and disease statistics
• Offers support services via online discussion boards and in-person support groups through local chapters
• Cancer Survivors NetworkSM, a global online community, transcends geographic boundaries and builds bonds among cancer survivors and caregivers through shared experiences and feelings
• Road to Recovery, a program offered locally by some chapters, has volunteer drivers who transport patients to and from treatment appointments
• Hope Lodges are temporary housing accommodations for patients traveling far from home for treatment. There are more than 30 lodges
• American Cancer Society’s Wig Bank - Provides free wigs from limited supply to needy patients suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment. Intended for those with insufficient insurance coverage for cranial prostheses (wigs).

Individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved in the U.S. affected by a cancer diagnosis

To provide free, professional support services to individuals, families, caregivers and the bereaved to help them cope with and manage the emotional and practical challenges of cancer.

• Oncology social workers are available for telephone counseling services to provide support, information and resources to help in coping with cancer
• Offers online support groups and educational publications
• Cancer Out Loud: The CancerCare Podcast features conversations with people living with cancer, caregivers, survivors, loved ones and the bereaved
• Connect Education Workshops in which leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information in one-hour workshops over the telephone or online
• Financial assistance for transportation, medications, home care, child care, or durable medical equipment may be available for patients in active treatment. Eligibility guidelines vary depending on diagnosis, gender and geographic location. Call for details
• Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp - a free retreat for families with children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer

• Financial assistance for insured cancer patients in treatment in the US to help with co-payments for chemotherapy and targeted treatment medications who meet certain financial, medical and insurance eligibility criteria. Check the website (http://cancercarecopay.org/) or call 866-552-6729 for details.

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

To provide individuals diagnosed with cancer with information and tools to help make sound financial decisions before, during, and after cancer treatment

• Online ‘Toolkit’ offers targeted information about health insurance, disability insurance, education, employment, family building, medical bills, financial assistance, and more.

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.

Cancer patients and their families within the 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories

Dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment.

• Delivers financial education, financial planning, resource navigation, and emergency relief funds to patients and caregivers facing a cancer diagnosis so no family has to choose between their health and their home.  Patient must have a cancer diagnosis; be in active treatment or have completed treatment within 1 year; receive treatment within the US, Puerto Rico or US territories; be represented by a healthcare professional from the treatment center who can communicate with Family Reach on their behalf.

Patients with a covered disease in the U.S. who meet income qualification guidelines and have private insurance or a Medicare Part D plan but cannot afford the cost of their specialty therapeutics. Check website for the most up-to-date information on which diseases have available funding.

Helps patients with chronic disease, cancer and other life-altering conditions obtain the life-saving medications they need.

• Requires that patients are 100% compliant with their prescribed treatment
• Has a patient portal to help track patient's treatment regimen, dispensing history, and medication usage. Provides reminder tools and an interactive calendar to help patients manage their care
• Patients must apply and meet certain qualifications. Once accepted into the program all information can be tracked through a portal.
• Assists with medication co-pays; some travel expenses including fuel, parking and meals; some lodging for medical appointments.

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.

Underinsured patients in the US living with chronic and life-altering illnesses who need help to afford their medical care and certain out-of-pocket expenses

To reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases.

• As specific disease funds are available, provides financial assistance to underinsured individuals to help with prescription copays; health insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance; pediatric treatment costs; and travel expenses.  Call or check website for eligibility criteria.
• Website provides a resource list with links to other organizations.

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.

Patients in the U.S. with rare diseases

NORD is leading the fight to improve the lives of rare disease patients and families. We do this by supporting the rare community – its people and organizations – and by working together to accelerate research, raise awareness, provide direct assistance and drive public policy.

• Administers Patient Assistance Programs to help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford
• The Patient Information Center provides information on thousands of rare disorders and resources
• The Rare Caregiver Respite Program offers limited financial assistance to eligible caregivers so that they can take a break from caregiver responsibilities
• Hosts regional and national meetings for patients and families
• Works collaboratively with a growing roster of member organizations.

Underinsured patients with a diagnosis for which PANF has a fund (certain cancers, chronic illnesses or rare diseases), and meeting all eligibility criteria

To offer help to underinsured people with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases to get the medications and treatments they need by assisting with their out-of-pocket costs and advocating for improved access and affordability

• Offers nearly 70 disease-specific programs to help patients pay for their out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance, travel expenses, and health insurance premiums
• Offers FundFinder, a free resource available via any internet-enabled device that provides information about disease funds at charitable patient assistance foundations
• In partnership with Roundtrip, the Treatment Transport pilot program reduces the cost of rideshare trips booked through their app or call center for qualifying patients being treated for any of their covered diseases.  Call 1-833-662-3030 for eligibility criteria and to apply.

People in the U.S. with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating illnesses

To provide professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.

• PAF Case Managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis; may also be assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys. PAF seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
• Offers PAF authored publications and content, distributes booklets and publications
• Offers an annual scholarship program for survivors
• PAF Co-Pay Relief Program provides direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for the prescriptions and/or treatments they need. This assistance helps patients afford the out-of-pocket costs for these items that their insurance companies require. For details, call 866-512-3861.

People with chronic illnesses and conditions in the U.S.

PSI supports people with expensive chronic illnesses and conditions through locating solutions with health insurance and assisting with premiums and prescription co-payments to facilitate positive health and well-being.

• Evaluates an individual's financial, medical, and insurance situation to determine who is eligible for premium or co-payment assistance.
• Offers an interactive insurance navigation tool to help locate potential insurance options in the U.S.

Patients in the U.S. needing financial assistance to obtain needed medications, health professionals

To help patients determine if they are eligible for pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs (for free or discounted brand name drugs) and then help guide patients through that process.

Families of children with cancer in the U.S.

To fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and treatment protocols; to provide financial assistance to families of children with cancer nationwide.

• Provides grants to minimize the financial hardship that is directly attributable to the child’s illness; application form and eligibility criteria available on website.

Transplant patients and families, caregivers, survivors

To improve the quality of life for cancer and transplant patients and their families by providing vital financial assistance, comprehensive resources, educational information, physician referrals, and emotional support programs.

• Lifeline Fund provides financial support to help cover the costs of donor searches, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, housing costs and other expenses associated with transplant​
• Carelines provides social media tools for crowdfunding, journaling and a volunteer task calendar for anyone with a cancer diagnosis or receiving a bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant 
• Airbnb Open Homes Medical Stays offers free temporary housing for cancer and transplant patients and their caregivers
• One-to-One Fund enables patients to reach out to family, friends and social networks for financial support
• Scholarship Grants help make educational aspirations a reality for bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant survivors
• Clinical Care Counseling provides confidential individual and family supportive counseling, financial guidance and resource referrals for cancer, transplant patients, and family members
• Ask the Expert enables individuals to anonymously pose questions concerning transplantation and to have them answered by transplant specialists
• SupportLine links transplant patients and their families with volunteers who have gone through the transplant experience
• Support Groups provide patients, families and caregivers the opportunity to share experiences and draw support from one another
• Medical and Educational Handbooks provide comprehensive transplant information and resources

Patients with MDS, caregivers, health professionals worldwide

A multi-disciplinary, international organization devoted to MDS support, research, treatment, and education for patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses and other health care providers. The organization is based upon the premise that international cooperation will accelerate the process leading to the control and cure of these diseases.

• Provides disease information, insurance information and publications

• Offers patient advocacy groups, research funding, and professional educational initiatives

• Referrals to MDS Centers of Excellence and clinical trials

• Conducts international symposia.

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.

Children age 16 and younger, who have commercial health insurance.

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a non-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of children’s lives through much needed medical grants. These medical grants help improve access to medical services and items that are not covered, or not fully covered, by a family’s current commercial health insurance plan. Besides being 16 years old or younger and covered by a commercial health insurance plan, a child must be diagnosed with a current or ongoing medical need, be receiving treatment by a qualified medical practitioner in the US and meet certain financial criteria to qualify.

Grants may be provided for:

• Help with medical services costs
• Help with medication costs
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Costs associated with transplant
• Air and ground transportation for medical appointments