Our insurance doesn’t provide any coverage for medication. My wife and I each take two different medicines. We’re not looking for a total handout. We just need to know if there are programs or services to help us cover the cost of our medicine.
 

Help is here! While prescription assistance programs have existed in multiple forms for over 50 years, it is often a very confusing process to find and apply for the variety of discounted or free programs that are available. To help simplify this process and make it easier for people who need help paying for their medication, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance was formed. This nationwide program brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help those people without prescription coverage get the medicines they need.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance of Missouri is the state chapter of this nationwide initiative. Over 40 local health organizations from across Missouri have joined as partners in promoting this initiative. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance of Missouri provides a single point of access to more than 475 already existing public and private assistance programs that provide over 2,500 medications for free or nearly free. By using the toll-free number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) or visiting www.pparxmo.org, you will find information on which programs you qualify for and will have the chance to apply immediately.

While eligibility varies by program, a number of patient assistance programs provide help to those who lack prescription drug coverage and earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level (approximately $19,000 for an individual and $31,000 for a family of three). Eligibility is open to patients of all ages. In Missouri, nearly 400,000 people make less than 200% of the federal poverty level and are uninsured. This program has helped over 25,000 people across the state with their prescription drug costs since its launch in June 2005.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance of Missouri will host a series of enrollment events in September in Kansas City, Springfield, and other stops around the state. The “Help is Here Express” bus is traveling the country to raise awareness about this new program, and is equipped with computer terminals and phones to make it easy for patients to enroll on-site. Watch for upcoming announcements on when the “Help is Here Express” will be visiting your area. If you do not have prescription coverage and are having trouble paying for your medicines, call the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 1-888-4PPA-NOW to speak with a trained specialist or visit www.pparxmo.org.  Trained specialists answer the toll-free line between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Central Standard Time, and assist patients in identifying programs and completing application forms. The call center has the capability to speak in 150 languages, is BOBBY compliant and uses TTY/TDY technology for the blind, deaf and disabled. Please have the list of medications you are currently using, and other basic information such as your age, address, household income and insurance information available when you call or visit the website. All information is completely confidential. 

Stacy Thompson
Partnership for Prescription Assistance of Missouri

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