Some drug companies provide access to medication programs both in the United States and to developing countries.
Patient access programs provide health care coverage or prescription medication assistance to individuals in need. A variety of patient access programs are available to residents throughout the United States. Some are offered by pharmaceutical companies for particular medications while others are state-funded programs that provide encompassing discounts on prescription medications. Applicants must meet each program's individual eligibility criteria and must not profit from any program.
Genetech: Patient Access Programs
Genetech Access Solutions program provides nationwide patient assistance in the form of drug coverage and reimbursement programs. The Genetech Access to Care Foundation was established in 1985 and since that time has provided $1.5 billion USD to patients with no insurance toward the cost of prescription medications. For instance, individuals with no insurance coverage who meet income eligibility criteria and require a yearly dosage of Avastin in the amount of 10,000 miligrams are eligible to receive the prescription medication at no cost. Income eligibility for the program generally requires that the applicant have an income below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which is equal to $20,050 for a family of four, as of 2010. The program is also accessible to individuals with health care insurance who have surpassed the maximum benefit of the insurance.
Novartis
Novartis works in collaboration with the Max Foundation to provide assistance programs nationwide to patients on a financially-dependent sliding scale. Programs include full product donations, shared contributions between charitable organizations and Novartis, and collaborative payment plans between the patient and Novartis. The amount of financial assistance available is based upon eligibility criteria that include the applicant's insurance coverage and income which must be below the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Arkansas Health Care Foundation
The Arkansas Health Care Foundation provides medical care assistance to individuals throughout the state. The foundation refers individuals in need to medical personnel such as registered nurses, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies that have agreed to offer their services and products at no charge to eligible candidates. Eligible applicants must be citizens of the United States that reside in Arkansas, have no other type of insurance coverage and meet low income requirements according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Community RX Kansas
The Community RX Kansas program is administered by the Kansas Health Policy Authority. The program provides substantial prescription medication cost reductions at local pharmacies. Eligible applicants must meet qualifying criteria which are: no health insurance coverage, including VA benefits; and household income requirements equivalent to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or $66,150 for a family of four, as of 2010. The program reduces the cost of prescriptions to approximately $8.50 USD for a three-month supply. This amount may vary depending on the medication.
Michigan Prescription Drug Discount Card
Residents in the state of Michigan can apply for the Michigan Prescription Drug Discount Card which entitles cardholders to discounts of between 5 and 25 percent on all prescription medications. All household members must be enrolled in the program which is accessible to applicants that meet income and insurance eligibility criteria. Applicants must have an income of less than the assessed median income level, which is equal to $63,600 for a family of four. (Reference 8)
Tags: eligibility criteria, Federal Poverty, Federal Poverty Guidelines, insurance coverage, Poverty Guidelines
