If you do not qualify for Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare, there is help for the costs of your prescription drugs. Many, if not most, drug companies have “patient assistance” programs that provide drugs for free or at a reduced cost to people who have no prescription insurance and who cannot afford to pay for their medicines.
The following two programs are new. Federally qualified health centers and most physicians' offices will also help you submit an application to these drug programs or programs like them.
RX4NJ - 1-888-RXFORNJ (1-888-793-6765)
The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey is a trade group of about 20 pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies in New Jersey. It is now acting as a clearinghouse for more than 300 patient assistance programs that are sponsored by drug makers. This new program allows people to call just one phone number or send an e-mail and explain their financial circumstances and the prescriptions they need.
The HealthCare Institute will then send information to the appropriate patient assistance programs. Most programs require that the applications be submitted by the applicant's physician, along with any required documentation.
Rx Outreach
Rx Outreach provides more than 50 prescription medicines (usually generic) at reduced cost to people who have incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level. Applicants must complete a one-page form that may be mailed or submitted online with payment for the prescriptions. The fees are $18 for a three-month supply and $30 for a six-month supply. The fee includes shipping and handling, and there is no fee to subscribe.
The drug is mailed directly to the patient within two weeks. Rx Outreach says that available drugs include generic equivalents of Naprosyn, Proventil, Glucophage, Prozac, and Zantac.
This program may be reached only on the Internet, but most public libraries provide computer assistance.
This article originally appeared in the January-February 2005 issue of Looking Out for Your Legal Rights®. |
