EPISODE 9 ~ SAVE MORE: Prescription Medications: Did you know you can get prescription drugs for free?
THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION MEDS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE PAST DECADE AND I KNOW FROM MY WORK AS CONSUMER CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DR. OZ SHOW THAT THIS IS A REAL PAIN POINT FOR PEOPLE.
SO, HERE’S THE DEAL: EVERY YEAR, THE BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES EACH GIVE AWAY MORE THAN $200 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF FREE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS. YES!
IT’S TRUE. FOR SOME REASON, ALMOST NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW ABOUT THESE OFFERS.
THEY’RE CALLED “PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND THEY’RE MEANT TO HELP
PEOPLE WHO AREN’T OLD ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE AND AREN’T POOR ENOUGH TO
QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID. I’VE FOUND THAT THE INCOME THRESHOLDS, ARE REALLY QUITE GENEROUS.
FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CAN MAKE AS MUCH AS 90-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR —EVEN MORE IF YOU LIVE IN AN EXPENSIVE AREA LIKE SAN FRANCISCO OR NEW YORK— AND STILL QUALIFY FOR THESE
FREEBIES. IF YOU DON’T QUALIFY FOR FREE MEDS, YOU MAY VERY WELL QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNTED
ONES.
THERE’S A CENTRAL CLEARINGHOUSE WEBSITE YOU CAN GO TO TO SEARCH FOR
PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT COVER YOUR DRUGS. AND PRE-QUALIFYING TAKES…I’M GONNA SAY…2 MINUTES. I’M NOT EVEN EXAGGERATING! YOU JUST ENTER THE MEDS YOU TAKE, YOUR AGE, ZIP CODE, NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND YOUR INCOME. AND THEN UP POPS A SCREEN TELLING YOU WHICH FREE MEDS YOU QUALIFY FOR AND HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR
APPLICATION. AT THAT POINT, YOU USUALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF INCOME AND DETAILS LIKE
THAT.
EVERY DRUG COMPANY’S PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT BUT IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 10 DAYS TO
GET FINAL APPROVAL. THAT’S IT! YOU WILL EITHER PICK UP YOUR FREE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AT A LOCAL PHARMACY OR YOUR DOCTOR’S OFFICE.
I HAVE LINKED YOU TO ALL OF THE RESOURCES YOU NEED TO SEE IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU
KNOW CAN GET FREE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS:
•Needy Meds: This nonprofit was started by a nurse and doctor to help
people find these programs: www.needymeds.org
•Partnership for Prescription Assistance: Run by PhRMA, the largest
drug industry trade group: www.pparx.org
•RX Assist: Founded by Volunteers in Health Care, which is affiliated with
Brown University: www.rxassist.org