Consumer Resource Directory - Prescription Assistance

Prescription Assistance

- Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: Extra Help
- Patient Assistance Programs
- Prescription Savings Programs
- Wayne County Senior Prescription Savings Program
- World Medical Relief (WMR)
- MiRx Prescription Savings Program
- Michigan HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program
- Veterans Affairs
- Michigan Parkinson Foundation

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: Extra Help

Medicare offers prescription coverage insurance for everyone with Medicare. This is also called Part D. The coverage may help lower prescription drug costs. Extra Help, a low-income subsidy, is available to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources. *See the Medicare section of this directory.

Patient Assistance Programs

Various pharmaceutical companies offer free medicines for patients in financial need through Patient Assistance Programs (PAP). The following groups offer information and PAP application forms. They do not directly offer any prescription benefits and is not an insurance plan. Generally, you will need a physician to complete a medical portion of the application.

NeedyMeds.com
P.O. Box 63716
Philadelphia, PA 19147-7516
Fax: (419) 858-7221
Email: info@needymeds.com
Website includes a wide range of information pertaining to prescription assistance.

RxAssist.org
RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles sponsored by AstraZeneca.
Patient Assistance Program Eligibility Criteria and Medicare Part D Chart
Some pharmaceutical companies do not offer their patient assistance program to Medicare beneficiaries. This chart lists which program Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for:
www.rxassist.org/docs/medicare-and-paps.cfm

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
(800) 762-4636
www.pparx.org
A collaborative service including 48 pharmaceutical companies.

Prescription Savings Programs
Pharmaceutical companies offer discounts on prescription costs to uninsured individuals.

Together Rx Access
Together Rx Access, LLC
P.O. Box 9426
Wilmington, DE 19809-9944
(800) 444-4106
www.togetherrxaccess.com
The Together Rx Access is a prescription savings program sponsored by 10 pharmaceutical companies. Average savings of 25% to 40% on prescription drugs.
Eligibility: The applicant must not have any type of prescription coverage, not eligible for Medicare, and a legal resident of the U.S.
Annual Income - Less than $30,000 individual and $40,000 for couple

Merck Prescription Discount Program
P.O. Box 369
Horsham, PA 19044-9945
(800) 506-3725
www.merck.com/merckhelps
The Merck Prescription Discount Program is offered to all uninsured patients, regardless of age or income. By enrolling, there will be a 15% to 20% savings off many Merck medicines. An Instant Savings Certificate (10%) is available online.
Eligibility: Must not have any prescription drug insurance or benefits through private insurance, employer-sponsored insurance, HMOs, Medicaid, Medicare prescription coverage or Veterans assistance. Must be a legal resident of the U.S.

Wayne County Senior Prescription Savings Program

The Senior Prescription Savings Program is an opportunity for Wayne County residents to save money on prescription medication.

You qualify for the Senior Savings Card if:

You are a Wayne County resident
You are age 55 or older
You have no other co-pay coverage (even if you have a deductible, but no co-pay)

Coverage will include:

Any drug that requires a physician’s prescription
Prescription mail order services
Thousands of participating pharmacies nationwide
Wellness information

Wayne County Senior Prescription Savings Program
640 Temple, Suite 370
Detroit, MI 48201-2558
(866) 896-3450

World Medical Relief (WMR)

World Medical Relief offers two prescription assistance programs available to income and asset-eligible residents in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. Participants cannot have prescription insurance coverage or be eligible for or receive Medicaid. Qualified participants will be charged $7 per prescription plus small postage cost. Applications can be mailed or obtained at various community sites.

The Senior Prescription Program is offered to residents age 55 and older.
Monthly/Annual Income Limits for 2007:
Individual: $1,550 per month, $18,600 annually
Couple: $2,100 per month, $25,200 annually
Asset limits:
Individual: $3,500
Couple: $4,000
The Tri-County Prescription Program includes residents age 40-54.
Monthly/Annual Income Limits for 2007:
Individual: $1,550 per month, $18,600 annually
Couple: $2,100 per month, $25,200 annually
Asset Limits:
Individual: $10,000
Couple: $20,000

World Medical Relief
11745 Rosa Parks Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48206-1270
(313) 866-5333
Fax: (313) 866-5588
www.worldmedicalrelief.com

MiRx Prescription Savings Program

The State of Michigan provides a prescription drug discount card to uninsured and under insured Michigan residents to allow them to be able to get their prescription medication for less money at participating pharmacies. Savings are up to 20% off the retail price.
Eligibility: Michigan resident, no prescription drug coverage, income level at or below the state’s median income level. There is no age limit. Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Part D and are within the deductible phase or coverage gap, are eligible to apply for the savings program if they meet the income requirements.
Annual Income: At or below the state’s median income level. In 2007, single family unit income $27,930; two-person family unit income $37,470.
MiRx Prescription Savings Program
(866) 755-6479
www.michigan.gov > search program name

Michigan HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program

The Michigan HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program (DAP) helps cover costs for certain FDA approved drugs for HIV/AIDS patients who qualify for the program. The DAP currently covers HIV-specific and related medicines, as well as vaccines. To be eligible:

You must have HIV disease
You must be a state of Michigan resident
Your income level should be nor more than 450% of Federal Poverty level
You must have applied for public assistance (Medicaid) and have been denied, pending or spend-down status within 90 days of application to the DAP
Annual redetermination process

Michigan HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program
109 Michigan Avenue, 9th floor
Lansing, MI 48913
(888) 826-6565
www.michigan.gov > search program name
Program information is also available from HIV case management agencies and the local health department locations.

Veterans Affairs

Call the VA Health Benefit Service Center toll-free at
(877) 222-8387 for information about prescription assistance services. *Additional information is available in the Veterans Affairs section of this directory.

Michigan Parkinson Foundation

A Medication Assistance program is offered by Michigan Parkinson Foundation. The program will provide limited funding per year to qualified individuals with Parkinson’s. Call for eligibility information.
Michigan Parkinson Foundation
(800) 852-9781 or (248) 433-1011