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Prescription Medication Assistance

Warning:
There are legitimate companies that charge for helping you obtain free or lower cost medications.  These companies fill out and submit applications, track your prescriptions and provide other valuable services.  You will find some of these listed below.  However, you do not need to pay for information about these companies or other prescription assistance programs.  This information is free from many good sources including your doctor, CareNet and many Internet sites.

Avoid the following:
Companies charging money to find out if you can get free medications.
Companies charging money with a promise they will find you free medications.

Toledo-Lucas County CareNet endorses the following programs that may provide some relief to the high cost or prescription medications:

Pharmaceutical Company Programs
Many pharmaceutical companies provide prescription medicines free or at discounted rates to qualified patients who do not have prescription drug coverage. For lists of participating companies, application forms, available drugs and individual requirements for these programs go to the following websites:

• www.RxForOhio.org was created to help Ohioans find pharmaceutical assistance programs. Patients provide basic information including prescription medications, income, and current insurance coverage.  RxForOhio can then determine what patient assistance programs are available and where to find application forms.  Call 1-877-RX-4-OHIO for help in locating public computers.  This site is available in Spanish.
• www.needymeds.com provides information about assistance prorams and discount cards by pharmaceutical company, drug name or disease.  Many application forms and other information about reducing the costs of medicines are available at this site for printing.
• BenefitsCheckUp.com is a comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over).  In addition to indentifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program.

Some things to remember about these websites:

• This process can be somewhat difficult, but there is no charge for this service.
• These sites only provide information about pharmaceutical assistance programs and application forms.  If you use these sites, you and your doctor are responsible for completing and sending all forms to the proper companies.
• Be sure you know the exact name of your medications and the manufacturers before visiting these websites.
• Computers are often available for use at public libraries.

Assistance Programs
Qualifying CareNet members needing additional assistance to access pharmaceutical company programs can contact one of the following organizations that work with you and your doctor to locate assistance programs, determine your eligibility, and complete the application forms required by each pharmaceutical company:

• www.patientassistanceservices.com 1 (877) 463-1905.  This company charges a one-time, nonrefundable $25 set-up fee and $50 per month membership for all of your prescription medications.  Medication are mailed to your doctor's office, a local pharmacy or you home depending on the requirements of the pharmaceutical program.  Members also receive a discount card for vision care, chiropractic services, dental procedures, hearing aids, vitamins and home medical supplies.  Call the number above for more information.

Discount Cards
Many discount cards are available to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.  CareNet member who do not qualify for, or whose medications are not included in, the pharmaceutical company programs may receive a drug discount card free of charge.  Many local pharmacies recognize these cards.  Two examples are:

• www.ohiobestrx.org (Ohio's Best Rx) 1-866-923-7879
  Provides assistance to Ohio residents who are:
  • Over 60 years of age and have no prescription drug insurance.
  • Under 60 years of age, have no prescription drug insurance, and have a household income of less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.

• www.Rxsave.org (Northwest Ohio Pharmacy Card Network) 1-800-329-1469
This card is available to everyone and can be printed at the website.

• www.togetherrxaccess.com (Needymeds.com) 1-800-444-4106
This card is available for patients with annual incomes of less than $30,000 or couples less than $40,000 without prescription insurance.  Call for applications or more information.

Generic Medications

• Kmart Generic Prescription Program:  Kmart pharmacies offer 90-day supplies of specific generic medications for $15.  To view the list of generic medications currently available click here.  Contact a Kmart pharmacy for updates to this list and additional information.
• Walmart/Sam's Club Generic Prescription Program:  Walmart pharmacies offer a wide variety of generic medications for $4 for up to a 30-day supply. Go to www.walmart.com and click on "Pharmacy" or www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=546834 to print an updated list of discounted medications.
• Target: Target pharmacies offer a 30-day supply of certain generic medications for $4.  For an updated list, go to www.target.com. "Prescriptions" is located in a drop down list under "Health".  You may also call 1-877-rxtarget or your local Target pharmacy for further information.
• Meijer pharmacies offer seven generic oral antibiotics free (typically a 10-14 day supply). Go to www.meijer.com/pharmacy/antibiotics.asp for a list of antibiotics included in this program.
• Giant Eagle pharmacies offer the same free oral antibiotics plus several cold/cough generic medications. Giant Eagle also offers a $4 per prescription program for many generic medications. Go to www.gianteagle.com and click on "Pharmacy" for a list of medications included in this program.
• Kroger Prescription Program:  Kroger pharmacies offer 30-day supplies of many generic medications for $4.  Go to www.kroger.com/generic or call 1-877-4RX-LIST for more information.

***CareNet members are advised to check with these pharmacies to learn if their generic prescriptions are included in these programs.***

• www.rxoutreach.com 1-800-769-3880
Rx Outreach is a patient assistance program developed by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services. Rx Outreach offers generic medications usually unavailable through other patient assistance programs. Express Scripts receives donated generic medications from pharmaceutical companies and charges an administrative fee per prescription:

• $20 or $30 for a 90 day supply depending on the medication

This is a flat fee and is not dependent on the medication dosage or strength. There are no taxes or enrollment fees. Medications can be mailed directly to the patient. Additional information and a list of over 100 generics currently available can be found at the website.  This site is available in Spanish.

Check Prices and Comparison Shop
Since prices often vary, calling several pharmacies with the names and dosages of prescribed medication may be another way to save money.  The Internet may also provide helpful information.

• www.agrx.ag.state.oh.us, sponsored by the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, lists medications and costs by participating pharmacies.  Several area pharmacies are currently participating, and the website promises to update the list quarterly.
• www.crbestbuydrugs.org., sponsored by Consumer Reports, compares the brand name, generic, and nonprescription medicines available to treat different diseases and picks "best Buys" based on cost and effectiveness.  Reports on different categories of medicines are available without charge.

Quit Smoking with Reduced-Cost Nicotine Patches
Uninsured Ohioans (18 years and older) who want to quit smoking are eligible for free telephone counseling plus a four-week supply of nicotine patches for only $25 (retail value, $100). For more information, call the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line 800-QUIT-NOW or go to www.otpf.org.

CareNet will update this list as new resources become available. (Updated 1-29-07)