Health ... Conditions
Medication Assistance Programs
from Johns Hopkins Health Alerts
If you're like many Americans, coping with the cost of medications can be burdensome, even with help from various health insurance plans.
Studies show that some people cope by decreasing medication use below the recommended level; for example, by using glaucoma eye drops once a day instead of twice, or waiting to refill prescriptions. But not following your treatment regimen can lead to irreversible vision damage that can make blindness more likely.
If the cost of medication makes it difficult for you to follow the prescribed glaucoma eyedrop regimen, here are some resources that you may want to investigate further.
- Medicare drug benefit. Medicare offers prescription drug coverage -- known as Medicare Part D -- to everyone with Medicare. To obtain Medicare prescription drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other company approved by Medicare, such as the AARP. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered, and there are important enrollment deadlines. For more information, go to www.medicare.gov and click on Part D, under "Medicare Benefits."
- National Council on Aging. Benefitscheckup.org is a free, online service for people age 55 and older from the National Council on Aging. It provides information on various state and federal assistance programs, including medication assistance. The service is confidential and requires you to fill out a questionnaire online that takes about 15 minutes. The site gives you a listing of programs for which you may qualify. Go to www.benefitscheckup.org and click on "Find Benefits."
- EyeCare America. This program is offered as a public service from the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeCare America provides an online pharmaceutical directory that lists free or discount ophthalmic drugs available from major drug companies. Drugs on the list include such mainstays of glaucoma treatment as brimonidine (Alphagan P), bimatoprost (Lumigan), timolol (Timoptic) and latanoprost (Xalatan). You will need to consult your physician as part of the application process. For more information, go to www.eyecareamerica.org and click on "Assistance with Medications."
- NeedyMeds. This resource provides a clearinghouse of information on state and local assistance programs as well as drug company discount prescription programs. To find out more about this service, go to www.needymeds.org.
This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information.
