This Christmas, those with chronic illness and their families can experience the gift of good health by finding help paying for prescription medicines. Free programs that provide financial relief, even for co-pays, are available to people of many income levels – including those who have health insurance.
Health care costs are increasing, but there are ways to save money while staying healthy.
“Co-pay assistance is just like a coupon that cuts the cost of prescription medicines,” said Cassie Sauer from the Washington State Hospital Association. “Taking your medicines and managing illness is one of the best ways to prevent unnecessary visits to the emergency room – preventing needless costs and health problems.”
Co-pay assistance helps cover the cost of insurance co-pays in the same way a coupon cuts the cost of other products for consumers. Co-pay cards are available for a wide range of illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and other diseases.
“Patients are healthier when they stay on the medication their doctor has prescribed,” said Laura Keller of the Northwest Chapter of the American Diabetes Association. “We are working to raise awareness of the ways people can save money on their prescriptions. If people with diabetes are interested in learning about financial assistance programs, including pharmaceutical assistance programs, that information is also available from our call center at 1-800-DIABETES.”
Assistance can be found from a number of free sources, including online at www.needymeds.org, www.pparx.org or through Washington’s own Prescription Drug Assistance Foundation
