FREE MEDS PROGRAM

A program to assist low-income patients to obtain prescription medications

 for free or very low cost.

 

Samaritan Center volunteers research available programs which provide free or low-cost medications to needy persons.  In cooperation with low-income patients and their physicians these volunteers assist in the completion the applications required by the various pharmaceutical companies.

 

You may be eligible for free or very low-cost drug prescriptions!

 

Many pharmaceutical companies offer medication assistance programs to low-income, uninsured patients to get free or nearly free brand-name medicines.  These programs typically require a doctor’s consent and proof of financial status.  To be accepted into a program, the applicant’s income must fall within the limits established by a particular pharmaceutical company sponsor.  The household income limit requirement varies with each program sponsor.

 

Some primary requirements are:

• The applicant must be a U. S. resident
• The applicant has no insurance coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.
• The applicant’s income is at a level which causes a hardship when the patient is required to purchase medications at retail.
• The patient must be taking a long-term medication.
• Medicaid, state-sponsored prescription drug assistance programs, military, retirement or pension program which provides for prescription medication drug coverage may disqualify the applicant for this program.

Who may be eligible for patient assistance programs?

• People of all ages
• Senior and retired people
• Students
• Families
• People on Social Security
• People on Social Security Disability or SSI
• People on a fixed income
• Single people
• Working people
• People without jobs
• People who are taking care of loved ones and paying for their prescription medication because they cannot.

Each sponsored drug has its own eligibility criteria.  Program sponsors make the determination on a case-by-case basis concerning which medications are provided and which individuals are accepted into the programs.  Periodic reapplication may be required.   Some companies require that prescription refills be picked up through the physician or the Samaritan Center medical clinic.