Trolling the internet on Chinese Flu quarantine day # 267 (and counting) we came across a website touting “Free Rx.” As we suspected, it was just another third party intermediary offering to assist consumers in applying for Rx manufacturer assistance programs. For a fee of course.
Many of our plan sponsors have eliminated expensive specialty drugs over the past five years. We have found members can gain access to these prescription drug assistance programs in partnership with their doctor and local pharmacist without the need of paying a third party to assist. And, to our knowledge, not one member has ever been turned down for free medications that otherwise would have cost many thousands of dollars.
Plan sponsors who continue to pay for expensive specialty drugs are headed towards disaster.
Here is the pitch we found on the internet:
One of the largest problems in America’s health care system today is the rising cost of prescription medication. Without prescription plans, people are being forced to choose between life-saving medications and basic everyday needs.
Help is available with Rx Assistance and more than 150 reputable pharmaceutical manufacturers who participate in a Patient Assistance Program. Worrying about the cost of medications could be a thing of the past.
Patient Assistance Programs are available nationwide to people of all ages.
The problem is that the process of getting enrolled can be so overwhelming that many give up before completing the process. In addition, the maintenance aspect of continued qualification and receipt of free medications is also burdensome.
That’s where we come in. Each pharmaceutical company has its own criteria for qualifications to receive assistance. In general, the patient must:
- Be a U.S. resident.
- Not be covered by insurance for outpatient prescription drugs.
- Not qualify for a government program (such as Medicaid) or a third-party program that provides for prescription medications (discount programs do not disqualify an applicant).
- Have an income level that would result in hardship if required to purchase medications at retail prices.
