If you have a hard time paying for your prescription medications or treatments, help may be available.
Financial assistance options are available from multiple sources: the federal government, state government, nonprofit programs, and the private sector, which usually includes for-profit companies. Note that this list is not all-inclusive, and other financial assistance programs may be available. The types of insurance that are accepted or are relevant are listed next to each program.
Federal government programs
Extra Help
Type of insurance: Medicare
The Extra Help Program—also called the Low-Income Subsidy Program—is a federal program available to people with Medicare that helps pay for out-of-pocket drug costs. To qualify for the program, you must have limited income and resources.
Learn more about the program and how to apply using these resources:
- PAN Foundation: Guide to the Extra Help program
- Social Security Administration: Apply for Part D Extra Help
AIDS Drug Assistance Program
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or no insurance all accepted
Under the Ryan White HIV/AIDs Program Part B, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides FDA-approved medications to low-income people with HIV who have limited or no health insurance.
Visit the Health Resources & Services Administration program website for more information.
State government programs
Children’s Health Insurance Program
Type of insurance: No insurance
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage, including prescriptions, to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Each state offers CHIP coverage and works closely with its state Medicaid program.
Learn more at the CHIP website.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Type of insurance: Medicare
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) help low-income seniors and adults with disabilities pay for prescription medications. SPAP coverage varies by state but generally provides Medicare Part D (drug coverage) “wraparound” coverage, so they pay costs that Medicare Part D does not pay.
Visit the Medicare SPAP website to learn more and search by state.
Medicare Savings Programs
Type of insurance: Medicare
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help people with limited income and resources pay some or all their Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
Visit the Medicare Savings Programs website to learn more.
Nonprofit programs
Charitable patient assistance foundations
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, Medicaid, Medicare
Charitable patient assistance foundations, like the PAN Foundation, are independent national organizations that provide financial assistance to eligible patients to help cover out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications. Some foundations, like the PAN Foundation, also offer other forms of help, like health insurance premiums and travel assistance.
Learn more about the PAN Foundation’s 80+ disease funds for life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases at panfoundation.org.
FundFinder web app
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, Medicaid, Medicare
FundFinder, a free web application created by the PAN Foundation, helps you find financial assistance for out-of-pocket prescription costs from more than 200 programs offered by nine charitable foundations and national health organizations. You can sign up for text or email alerts when financial assistance becomes available for your chosen disease fund(s).
Sign up for this free resource at FundFinder.org.
Private sector programs
Pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, no insurance
Through patient assistance programs, pharmaceutical manufacturers provide financial assistance or free drug products to those who are uninsured or commercially insured and meet their income eligibility guidelines. Due to federal regulations, however, pharmaceutical manufacturers cannot provide direct support to patients enrolled in federally funded insurance programs, such as Medicare, apart from a few exceptions.
Visit the NeedyMeds website to search by medication name and more, or check your drug manufacturers’ websites.
