(TheDailyCurrents.com) – Prescription medications are sometimes necessary to fight short-term illnesses and infections or to provide pain relief from injuries, accidents, or surgery. Prescription medication may also be essential for others to manage chronic illnesses. From diabetes or high blood pressure to anxiety, a variety of diseases or mental health disorders require ongoing prescriptions. Unfortunately, prescription costs can be prohibitive and difficult to manage, causing some people to reduce or forego essential medications, which can have catastrophic results. However, individuals can save money on medication in different ways, from switching to lower-cost or generic medicines with their doctor’s guidance to applying for prescription assistance programs.

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Many states offer to help pay for prescription medication, drug plan premiums, or related costs. Those struggling with prescription costs can visit the State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program page through the Medicare website to see if their state offers this type of assistance. If the individual’s state of residence is listed in the drop-down menu, clicking on it will provide more information about eligibility criteria.

Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

There are programs through some pharmaceutical manufacturers that will help sponsor patients and pay for medications for those who are enrolled in a Medicare drug coverage plan (Part D). To determine if an individual is eligible for lower or no-cost prescriptions, they can visit the Pharmaceutical Assistance Program on the Medicare website and input their medication to begin.

Emergency Prescription Assistance Program

In times of disaster, it can add undue pressure and stress when personal property is damaged or destroyed, but when necessary prescriptions are lost too, it can be detrimental. One program designed to assist individuals after a federal disaster is the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. It is managed by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.

The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) is designed to help those without health insurance in a federally-identified disaster area recover or receive prescriptions, vaccines, and medical supplies that were destroyed, lost, or stolen as a result of the disaster. Eligible individuals can file a claim at retail pharmacies across the U.S. and its territories.

Extra Help

Extra Help is a form of assistance for those with Medicare Part D that can help them lower medication costs. It helps with the cost of prescriptions, such as copays and deductibles. Some individuals will automatically qualify for Extra Help, including those who receive:

• full Medicaid coverage
• help from their state paying Part B premiums
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

For those that do not automatically qualify for Extra Help, they can apply before or after enrolling in Part D coverage. Necessary documents for individuals (and their spouses, if applicable), include bank statements, tax returns, IRA or 401(k) statements, and statements for pensions, annuities, Veterans’ benefits, etc.

Charity Programs

Many charities, especially those dedicated to specific illnesses, offer assistance programs to Medicare Part D participants or other qualifying individuals. Different charities will have different eligibility criteria, which may include consideration of income, medical expenses, and cost of living. Contacting relevant charities to discuss their assistance programs is the best way to determine if an individual or family qualifies and how to provide proof of eligibility.

Find Prescription Assistance Today

Individuals may also choose to contact Medicare directly for assistance in determining if they are eligible to apply for available prescription assistance programs. Contacting the local Department of Health and Human Resources office, state Medicaid office, or local charities is another way for individuals to inquire about prescription assistance programs.

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