Patient Assistance Programs for Medications

Found a couple of nifty websites that I think is important to know about, given the state of health care today. They're an invaluable tool that helps you to be your own health advocate. One site, RxAssist.org, offers a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs. Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. The database at RxAssist is searchable by name of the medication or by manufacturer. Bookmark this site and use it as a reference tool the next time your insurance lapses.

Another, similar site is Needymeds.org. I read about this one in O Magazine, and it sounds like the above.

Lastly, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together pharmeceutical companies, doctors/health care providers/patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage to get the medicines they need through the public or private program that is right for them. Look them up at helpingpatients.org.

What are some ways that you have found to manage health care costs? Let me know in a comment below.