Resources for Affordable Medications

American Association of Retired Persons Pharmacy Services

Dept. #258390
PO Box 40011
Roanoke, VA 24022
Telephone: (800) 456-2277
TTY: (800) 933-4327
Fax: (800) 456-7631
Home page: www.aarppharmacy.com

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Pharmacy Services provides prescription and pharmacy services to its members as part of the collection of AARP Health Care Options. AARP Pharmacy Servces offers programs to help members save money on prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and products for healthy living.

BenefitsCheckUp

Home page: www.benefitscheckup.com

The BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for adults age 55 and older. It contains more than 1,100 different programs from all 50 states. On average, there are 50 to 70 programs available to individuals per state.
In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information, and materials to help a person successfully apply for each program.

Medicare

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Telephone: (800) MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
TTY/TDD: (877) 486-2048
Home Page: www.medicare.gov/Prescription/Home.asp

Medicare provides consumers with information about public and private programs that offer discounted or free medication, as well as Medicare health plans that include prescription coverage.

Medicaid

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Telephone: (877) 267-2323
TTY: 866-226-1819
Check the Government listings in your telephone directory or call Directory Assistance to locate your state/regional Medicaid office.
Home page: http://cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp

The Medicaid Drug Rebate program is administered by the Center for Medicaid and State Operations (CMSO). About 520 drug companies currently participate in this program. Forty nine States, (Arizona is excluded), and the District of Columbia cover drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.

The Medicine Program

PO Box 515
Doniphan, MO 63935-0515
Telephone: (573) 996-7300
Home page: www.themedicineprogram.com

This volunteer-run organization works in cooperation with physicians to help patients enroll in one or more of the many patient assistance programs. These programs provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to individuals in need, regardless of age, if they meet the sponsor’s criteria. If you are approved and enrolled, your medication will be sent to your doctor and he or she will dispense it to you. If the program’s sponsor approves your application, you will receive your medication at no charge. The Medicine Program requires a $5.00 processing fee for each medication requested.

Nonprofit Warehouse

PO Box 680396
Marietta, GA 30068
Telephone: (770) 541-7777
Fax: (770) 541-1122
Home page: www.nonprofitwarehouse.com/kscriptcard.asp

In its ongoing efforts to help those who can least afford the high cost of prescription medication, Nonprofit Warehouse has joined with Kmart America’s AmeriKind Pharmacy Network to provide a free prescription drug discount card to organizations for distribution to the needy or to individuals who do not have a prescription drug plan or or must take medications that are excluded from their current plans.
The Discount Card is valid on any legend prescription filled at a Kmart Pharmacy. There is also a mail-order program for those individuals who do not have a participating pharmacy in their neighborhood.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

1100 Fifteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 835-3410
Home page: www.helpingpatients.org

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Helpingpatients.org is an interactive Web site sponsored by PhRMA and 48 of its member companies designed to help health care consumers find patient assistance programs that offer prescription drugs at low or no cost to those who qualify.

RxAssist

Home page: www.rxassist.org

Most drug manufacturers offer a limited supply of free prescription medications to eligible patients. These are known as patient assistance programs, and the companies that offer such programs have different application forms and eligibility requirements. RxAssist provides a downloadable patient information packet describing options for prescription assistance. A searchable database allows consumers to search for patient assistance programs by company, brand name, generic name, and drug class. The information includes eligibility and application instructions.

Together Rx

Telephone: (800) 865-7211
Home page: www.togetherrx.com

Together Rx is a free program for eligible Medicare enrollees. It offers discounted prices on more than 150 widely prescribed medications. Multiple pharmaceutical companies participate in Together Rx, each with its individual savings program.

TRICARE

The TRICARE Management Activity
Skyline 5, Suite 810
5111 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3206
Telephone: (877) DoD MEDS (877-363-6337)
Home Page: www.tricare.osd.mil/pharmacy/nmop.cfm

TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. TRICARE provides a comprehensive pharmacy benefit for active-duty members worldwide, TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries under age 65 (this category includes active-duty family members, as well as retirees under age 65 and their family members), and uniformed services beneficiaries age 65 and over.

Veterans Health Administration

Telephone: (877) 222-VETS (877-222-8387)
Home page: www.va.gov/health_benefits

Individuals enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration ’s Medical Benefits Package are eligible to receive prescription drugs, including over-the-counter drugs and medical and surgical supplies, available under the VA national formulary system.