Senior Services staff can check prescription pricing on the internet to find the very best value for your prescription medication purchases. Low-income older adults may qualify for assistance in obtaining medications through pharmaceutical company outreach programs.

Downloads:

Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs
[173kb pdf file]

Links to Prescription Medication Assistance:

CA Health Advocates (HICAP) fact sheets
Consumer's Union
FDA site, Medications and Older People
Medi-Cal Price Check
Medicare
Medicare Rights Organization
Medline Plus
My Medicare Matters
NCOA Benefits Check Up PDR Online To Look Up Drugs
RxAssist

Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs

Many pharmaceutical companies offer a limited supply of free or low-cost medications to patients in need through their patient assistance programs.

These programs are intended to serve patients who do not have prescription coverage through insurance or Medi-Cal, and who are not able to afford needed medications.

Eligibly criteria vary from program to program. Some programs have very clear defined income limits, while others approve applications on a case-by-case basis. Waiting time for approval may be eight weeks or more, though some companies offer instant approval by telephone. Refills often require submission of an application. All programs require annual submission of an application and income verification to continue in the program. Pain medications and narcotics are not available through these programs.

The John Muir Health patient will need to provide the Senior Services with the following minimum information in order to apply for medication assistance:

1. Name
2. Social Security number
3. Address
4. Telephone
5. Physician's name
6. Number of people in household
7. Marital status
8. Known allergies
9. Date of birth
10. List of medications, including dosage and frequency
11. Diagnosis or reason for needing the medication
12. Gross monthly or annual income including some type of verification such as Social Security statement or income tax return.
13. Disclosure of any health insurance coverage, whether it covers prescription medication or not.

Senior Services staff is available to assist physicians and patients of our health system to apply for these programs. If you are struggling to pay for prescription medicines, please contact Senior Services.