Some of you may already know about these programs but I thought it
would be a good idea to post them anyway. I'm not American, but have
collected this info. The comments made are not mine. Please check
everything first. Hope this helps, Adam:
NeedyMeds (http://www.needymeds.com) is a non profit organization
that provides information on PAPs and other sources of assistance.
Its site is designed for easy use, and the information is updated
regularly. It also contains other sources of help for those who
can't afford their medications.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (http://www.pparx.org)
is run by PhRMA and provides information for patients, patient
advocates and providers. The Web site allows users to access more
than 475 public and private PAPs. The Partnership for Prescription
Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies,
doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations
and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription
coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private
program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free.
Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs
and boost enrolment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the
Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of
access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance
programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical
companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by
phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) .
More about this program
https://www. pparx.org/ Intro.php
RxAssist (http://www.rxassist.org) is supported by the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation and has the same type of information as
NeedyMeds, though it takes a few steps to reach it.
RxHope (http://www.rxhope.com) is a private company supported by
PhRMA that provides a Web portal for physicians to manage their PAPs
and sample applications online. Their system allows for the patient
information to be managed by the doctor, from completion of
applications and reminders for reorders to notification of the PAP
status.
THIS IS MENTIONED IN THE CONTEXT OF MS, BUT I BELIEVE YOU CAN GET INFO RE
OTHER SUPPORT FINANCIALLY:
Finanical assistance may be found with Multiple Support 1-888-677-3243
use
this number to reach any support specialists, who can make
arrangements for
people who do not have a medical plan or cannnot afford it.
Multiple Support website: http://www.theMSforum.com
Also:
https://www.helpingpatients.org/SelectMedication.php
The first step in determining what patient assistance programs you may be
eligible for is to select your medicines. You are able to select multiple
medicines so be sure to add as many as necessary. Your selections are
completely confidential.
Also:
Call Sunflower Diversified Services, (620) 792-1325
I used www.modestneeds. org
<http://www.modestneeds.org/> last year to get
grant money towards a wheelchair lift for my car
so I could take my son to his soccer games and
practice with my motor chair. They specialize in
helping people pay for interim medical needs or
unexpected bills due to no fault of your own. This
wonderful group is having all donations matched
again this year. I came across them last year
while looking for financial resources to help with
certain assistive technology. I think the person
who needs help with her mortgage catch-up and meds
for the month would do well to apply to this
organization. For me, I used NORD (now most MS
services handled through Shared Solutions) before
I was on Medicare to pay my cobra insurance
premiums for 2 years so I could get shots at that
time. Other helpers have included the MSAA, MS
Foundation and MS-Ease (publishers of a book) who
helped me with car controls for example. But I
think would help with interim med needs..
_http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/novartis/pap/pap.jsp?usertrack.filter_applied=true&NovaId=785277375
1316710799_
(http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/novartis/pap/pap.jsp?usertrack.filter_applied=true&NovaId=7852773751316710799)
. This is Novartis's web
site link that will take you to the area where you can see about
getting on
their patient assistance program.
Also, try _www.needymeds. com_ (http://www.needymeds.com) ,
_www.rxassist.org_ (http://www.rxassist.org) ,
_www.phrma.org_ (http://www.phrma.org) , _www.pparx.org_
(http://www.pparx.org) ,
_www.merckhelps.com_ (http://www.merckhelps.com) ,
_http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm_
(http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_
Assistance_Programs .htm) , _www.freemedicinefoundation.com_ (h
ttp://www.freemedicinefoundation.com) ,
_www.fda.gov/ bbs/topics/NEWS/2005/NEW01272.html_
(http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2005/NEW01272.html) ,
_www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/_ (http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/) ,
_www.lilly.com/products/access/direct_patient.html_
(http://www.lilly.com/products/access/direct_patient.html) .
These are all different sites. I hope something in here will help you and
maybe someone else too.
I just learned about a web site that has information about Medicare. It
is: http://www.medicarerights.org.
The link that will take you directly to the page that has access to web
seminars about Medicare is:
http://www.medicarerights.org/webinars.html.
I have not thoroughly explored these sites, but I did view them briefly
and they look useful.
http://www.medicarerights.org had the following information about
Medigap coverage. It looked like very useful information.
Q&A: Medigap (Medicare Supplemental Insurance)
Q1. Medicare covers only 50 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for
mental health services. Do Medigap policies cover the remaining 50
percent or do they only cover 20 percent?
A1. Yes, all Medigap policies cover the remaining 50 percent of the
Medicare-approved amount for outpatient mental health services.
Q2. I am 51 years old and disabled. Presently, I live in New York, but I
will be moving to Florida in three months. I would like to purchase a
Medigap plan in Florida to supplement my Medicare. What is the best way
for me to do that?
A2.You do not have a guaranteed right to buy a Medigap policy in
Florida. Unlike New York, many states, including Florida, do not require
insurance companies to sell Medigap policies to people with Medicare
under the age of 65. However, some Medigap companies may still be
willing to sell you a policy. Check with the Florida Department of
Insurance. Alternatively, you can buy a Medigap policy in New York
before you move. You will be able to keep that policy even after you
move to Florida.
In order to find out more about Medigap policies in your state, contact
your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). To get the number
for your SHIP, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Q3. I've been thinking of buying supplemental "Medigap" insurance to
fill the gaps in Medicare. Can I buy it whenever I want?
A3. Federal law allows people to buy a Medigap policy during their
Medigap open enrollment period. This period lasts for six months after
the first day of the month in which you are both 65 and enrolled in
Medicare Part B. During this time, you have the right to buy the Medigap
policy of your choice and the insurance company cannot deny you
insurance coverage, place conditions on a policy (like making you wait
for coverage to start), or change the price of a policy because of past
or present health problems.
Some states have more generous Medigap laws that, for example, allow
people under 65 who have Medicare Part B to enroll in a Medigap. For
more information about Medigap laws in your state, call your State
Health Insurance Assistance Program or your state's Department of
Insurance. In addition, the Medicare.gov web site let's you compare
Medigap plans in your area.
Visit MRC's Medicare Answers section for more information about Medigaps.
Q4. Does Medigap insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
A4. Yes, Medigap insurance does cover pre-existing conditions, but you
may have a waiting period of up to six months for coverage of services
related to that condition. You will not have a pre-existing condition
waiting period if you had coverage from one of the following types of
insurance for at least six months prior to purchasing a Medigap and did
not go more than 63 days without coverage:
Medicare Part A and Part B (only considered credible during the first
six months in which you are both 65 years of age or older and enrolled
in Medicare Part B *)
A group health plan (like an employer plan)
COBRA
Private health insurance coverage
Medicaid
CHAMPUS and TRICARE (health care programs for the uniformed military
services)
Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan
A public health plan
State health benefits risk pool
A program of the Indian Health Service or Tribal Organization
A health plan under the Peace Corps Act
Medicare supplemental insurance or Medicare HMO plan
Medicare Part A and Part B (if you were eligible for Medicare by
disability and enrolled in a Medigap policy when you turned 65)
Federal law defines a pre-existing condition as any condition for which
medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received
from a physician within six months before the effective date of
coverage. Medigap insurers are required to reduce the pre-existing
condition waiting period by the number of days an individual was covered
under some form of "creditable" coverage (see above list) so long as
there were no breaks in coverage of more than 63 calendar days.
* 21 states, including New York, require insurers to offer Medigap
policies to people with disabilities. If you live in one of these
states, age is not a requirement.
Hope you find this information helpful. I did.