When there is no prescription drug coverage - How to access free or low cost prescription medication
We are hearing of more situations in which families have lost jobs and health insurance due to the difficulties in the economy. This e-mail is intended to provide these individuals and families who have no prescription drug coverage with some resources that may be helpful.
Please note that everyone who has Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare will continue to receive prescription drugs from that program, and the dual eligibles (who have both Medicare and Medicaid) will continue to receive prescription drugs via Medicare Part D.
The Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) website has a very comprehensive prescription drug section. Click to see the list of resources available to help pay for prescription medicine at http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/healthcare/prescriptiondrugs/prescriptiondrugprograms/index.cfm.
The following is a brief summary of possible sources of help paying for prescription drugs, with more detailed information available on the LSNJ website link mentioned above. These are patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Each of these programs has its own eligibility criteria, including prescription benefits status, household income and size, citizenship status, asset limits and veterans’ benefits status. Keep in mind that this is not an immediate fix due to the variable processing times of each program.
• www.rx4nj.org
• www.rxassist.org
• www.rxoutreach.com
• www.pparx.com
For assistance paying for generic drugs, many pharmacies offer low-cost generics, although some require you to join their “club” in order to access the generics. Each pharmacy has a different list of low-cost generics and the lists can be accessed at their websites:
• Shoprite Pharmacy Generic Drug Program, at http://www.shoprite.com/cnt/Pharmacy.html
• Target Prescription Program, at http://sites.target.com/site/en/health/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-004033
• Walmart Prescription Program, at http://sites.target.com/site/en/health/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-004033
• CVS Pharmacy Health Savings Pass, at http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1046&WT.mc_id=FH_112908_RxHome_HealthSavings#1
• Riteaid RX Savings Program, at http://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/rx_savings.jsf
• Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, at https://webapp.walgreens.com/MYWCARDWeb/servlet/walgreens.wcard.proxy.WCardInternetProxy/RxSavingsRH?
Prescription drug discounts are also available from the Garden State Pharmacy Owners, with savings from 10% to 50% off the regular retail cost of the drug. A small membership fee is required to join.
• Garden State Pharmacy Owners Providers Services - Municipal Listings, at http://www.gspops.com/CONSUMERS/municipal.html
Finally, consumers can try www.needymeds.org to find available assistance programs for their specific prescription drug.
Please share this information with others who may benefit from it.