Prescription Costs Getting You Down?

Prescription costs getting you down?

BY JACKIE KING

SPONSORED BY CANNON PHARMACY

October is a great time to focus on prescription medication since it coincides with the start of Medicare Part D Annual Open Enrollment period which runs October 15th thru December 7th. Pharmacists are a readily available resource to ensure there are no drug interactions among patient’s medication lists or to answer a myriad of drug related questions. Medication cost is one of the most common concerns amongst seniors. Thankfully, there are Patient Advocates available to assist patients struggling with cost.

A Patient Advocate is someone who helps bridge the gap for patients struggling to afford much needed medications. There are too often times patients are prescribed medicines their provider feels would be the best therapeutic option, but once the patient goes to the pharmacy to pick medicine up, they find it is not affordable. Prior to requesting a medication change, the Advocate will research grants and manufacturer assistance programs to find the best solution for the patient.

Grants are made possible through independent, charitable foundations whose missions are to help insured people living with life-threatening, chronic, or rare diseases. Diagnoses offered could range from Gout, Asthma, Heart Failure, to Parkinson’s Disease. They are intended to help patients struggling with high deductibles, copays, or coinsurance amounts and will often leave patient with no out of pocket cost for prescribed medicine. A few of the common grant foundations are: PAN Foundation, Healthwell Foundation, and The Assistance Fund. Applications can be submitted over the phone or online and typically are approved within a matter of minutes.

Manufacturer assistance programs, on the other hand, are available for both those who are uninsured and, in some cases, underinsured. Each program has unique requirements, but no worries, a Patient Advocate will help navigate the application process and assist each patient from start to finish. Unfortunately, applying through the manufacturer does take longer for approval, but once approved, medication will be shipped at no cost to patient.

The moral of the story is to always ask questions if a medication is found to be unaffordable. Often times, people are surprised to learn they qualify for assistance.