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GinnyS · 05-04-2003, 12:51 PM

I work for a primary care doctor, and in the last month or so, we've been seeing more and more of these patient assistance applications. Most drug manufacturers offer a patient assistance program and the qualifications are usually a household income of 200% or less of the national poverty level for the number of members in your household, and no access to prescription cover from any source, or if you have access to prescription coverage, but it will cause a financial hardship to pay for it. Most companies have information on-line, and forms you can print out and complete. Once the form is completed, you bring it to your primary care doctor's office with any supporting documentation (pay stubs, Soc. sec. statement, bank statements, and whatever else is listed as required financial information.) then your doctor will complete his section of the form, sign it and attach a written prescription and mail the application to the drug manufacturer. The drug manufacturer will then review your application and decide whether or not you qualify. If you do qualify, the medication will be mailed to your doctor's office. When they receive it, they will call you to come pick up your medication. Some manufacturer's are better than others and you will receive your medication in a couple weeks, but most take about 4-6 weeks, so make sure you have enough medication to last you until you can get the next supply.

Also, your doctor's office is inundated with drug representatives, who get paid to give away samples of their company's medications. If you can't afford a medication, or are running low and waiting for a patient assistance program's response, ask your doctor for samples to get you through. In most cases they will have your medication on hand, and would be happy to give you some.

There are a couple of exceptions to patient assistance meds and sample meds. Most patient assistance programs will not offer controlled or narcotic meds through a patient assistance program, or through their reps, as samples. So these are harder to come by for somebody to get without breaking the bank, but you can ask your doctor to prescibe generic, if it's available, or ask for a change to a more affordable medication.

HTH,

Ginny

05-04-2003, 12:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
GinnyS BIG BIG CheapSkate! Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 1,321 iTrader: (0) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	FYI... I work for a primary care doctor, and in the last month or so, we've been seeing more and more of these patient assistance applications. Most drug manufacturers offer a patient assistance program and the qualifications are usually a household income of 200% or less of the national poverty level for the number of members in your household, and no access to prescription cover from any source, or if you have access to prescription coverage, but it will cause a financial hardship to pay for it. Most companies have information on-line, and forms you can print out and complete. Once the form is completed, you bring it to your primary care doctor's office with any supporting documentation (pay stubs, Soc. sec. statement, bank statements, and whatever else is listed as required financial information.) then your doctor will complete his section of the form, sign it and attach a written prescription and mail the application to the drug manufacturer. The drug manufacturer will then review your application and decide whether or not you qualify. If you do qualify, the medication will be mailed to your doctor's office. When they receive it, they will call you to come pick up your medication. Some manufacturer's are better than others and you will receive your medication in a couple weeks, but most take about 4-6 weeks, so make sure you have enough medication to last you until you can get the next supply. Also, your doctor's office is inundated with drug representatives, who get paid to give away samples of their company's medications. If you can't afford a medication, or are running low and waiting for a patient assistance program's response, ask your doctor for samples to get you through. In most cases they will have your medication on hand, and would be happy to give you some. There are a couple of exceptions to patient assistance meds and sample meds. Most patient assistance programs will not offer controlled or narcotic meds through a patient assistance program, or through their reps, as samples. So these are harder to come by for somebody to get without breaking the bank, but you can ask your doctor to prescibe generic, if it's available, or ask for a change to a more affordable medication. HTH, Ginny __________________ THESE COLORS DON'T RUN !!! Meet my family: The Steward Family How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents?