WHY THIS GUIDE MATTERS
Prescription affordability remains one of the leading barriers to medication adherence in the United States. Patients living with chronic illnesses often face difficult decisions between purchasing medications and meeting basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.
This guide provides healthcare professionals and patients with resources that may help reduce medication costs and improve access to treatment.
QUESTIONS EVERY PROVIDER SHOULD ASK
— Can you afford this medication?
— Have you ever skipped medication because of cost?
— Have you delayed filling a prescription due to affordability concerns?
— Will this medication create financial hardship for you or your family?
— Would you like assistance identifying financial support programs?
— Are transportation or pharmacy access barriers affecting your care?
NATIONAL MEDICATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
California Rx Card
Website: https://californiarxcard.com
Card Features:
— Free pharmacy coupons
— Coupons are active and can be used immediately
— Discounts on brand & generic drugs
— Accepted at more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide
NeedyMeds
Website: www.needymeds.org
Services:
— Medication discount programs
— Patient assistance program database
— Low-cost clinic locator
Who They Help: Any patient seeking medication affordability resources.
RxAssist
Website: www.rxassist.org
Services:
— Manufacturer assistance programs
— Medication affordability tools
— Patient assistance directory
Who They Help: Uninsured and underinsured patients.
RxOutreach
Website: http://www.rxoutreach.org
Services:
— Mail order pharmacy for people with little to no health insurance coverage.
GoodRx
Website: www.goodrx.com
Services:
— Prescription discounts
— Pharmacy price comparison
— Medication savings tools
Who They Help: Any patient paying out-of-pocket for prescriptions.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Website: https://www.helpingpatients.org
Phone: 1-888-477-2669
Services:
— Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage to access the medicines they need.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Website: https://www.ncsl.org/health/state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs
— California only lists Aids Drug Assistance Program: Link to OA ADAP Branch for information.
DISEASE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES
Chronic Disease Fund Resources
Good Days
Website: https://mygooddays.org/patients/diseases-covered/
Services:
— Copay assistance
— Medication assistance
— Travel support
— Disease-specific funding
Who They Help: Patients with chronic illnesses and serious medical conditions.
Patient Advocate Foundation | Total Assist
Website: https://totalassist.org/apply-patients/
Services:
— Disease-specific financial assistance
— Medicare patient support
— Financial grants
— Medication access programs
Who They Help: Patients with chronic, rare, and life-threatening conditions.
The Assistance Fund (TAF)
Website: www.tafcares.org
Phone: (855) 845-3663
Services:
— Copay assistance
— Coinsurance assistance
— Deductible support
— Out-of-pocket medical expenses
Who They Help: Patients with covered chronic and rare diseases.
HealthWell Foundation
Website: www.healthwellfoundation.org
Phone: (800) 675-8416
Services:
— Copay assistance
— Insurance premium assistance
— Deductible assistance
— Travel and treatment support
Who They Help: Insured patients with qualifying chronic diseases.
Cancer Resources
CancerCare
Website: https://www.cancercare.org/financial_assistance
Services:
— Financial assistance
— Transportation assistance
— Counseling
— Resource navigation
Who They Help: Cancer patients and caregivers.
Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
Website: https://bloodcancerunited.org/financial-assistance
Services:
— Copay assistance
— Blood cancer support
— Financial resources
Who They Help: Patients with blood cancers.
Rare Disease Resources
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Website: https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/
Services:
— Rare disease assistance programs
— Medication assistance
— Patient advocacy
Who They Help: Individuals living with rare diseases.
Transplant Resources
American Transplant Foundation
Website: https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/programs/pap/
Services:
— Emergency financial assistance
— Medication support
— Insurance assistance
— Patient mentoring
Who They Help: Transplant recipients and living donors experiencing financial hardship.
Liver Disease Resources
Liver Coalition of San Diego
Website: www.livercoalition.org
Services:
— Patient education
— Advocacy
— Support resources
— Community engagement
American Liver Foundation
Website: www.liverfoundation.org
Services:
— Education
— Patient support
— Resource referrals
Global Liver Institute
Website: www.globalliver.org
Services:
— Patient advocacy
— Education
— Health policy initiatives
Kidney Disease Resources
American Kidney Fund
Website: https://www.kidneyfund.org/get-assistance/prescription-drug-resources
Services:
— Insurance premium assistance
— Transportation assistance
— Emergency financial support
— Prescription-related support
Who They Help: Kidney disease and dialysis patients.
National Kidney Foundation
Website: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/prescription-discount-and-assistance-resources
Services:
— Insurance premium assistance
— Transportation assistance
— Emergency financial support
— Prescription-related support
Who They Help: Kidney disease and dialysis patients.
Diabetes Resources
American Diabetes Association
Website: www.diabetes.org
Services:
— Insulin affordability resources
— Patient education
— Community support
Heart Disease Resources
American Heart Association
Website: www.heart.org
Services:
— Education
— Patient support
— Financial resource referrals
Community and Faith-Based Resources
2-1-1 California
Website: www.211ca.org or find your local 211
Phone: 211
Services:
— Emergency prescription assistance referrals
— Utility assistance
— Housing assistance
— Transportation support
Who They Help: Individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
United Ways of California
Website: https://unitedwaysca.org/find-your-local-united-way/
Services:
— Referrals to community assistance programs
— Emergency financial resources
— Transportation support
Faith-Based Charitable Organizations
Examples:
— Catholic Charities
— Lutheran Services
— Jewish Family Services
— Salvation Army
Services:
— Emergency prescription assistance
— Transportation support
— Utility and housing assistance
Advocacy Resources for Chronic Disease Patients
— California Chronic Care Coalition: https://www.californiachroniccare.org
— Patient Advocates United in San Diego County: www.paunitedsd.org
— My Patient Rights: Advocating for Care: https://mypatientrights.org
Pharmacy-Based Assistance
Independent Community Pharmacies
Many local independent pharmacies offer:
— Discount programs
— Emergency medication fills
— Manufacturer assistance enrollment help
Free & Charitable Clinics and Community Health Centers
California Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
Website: Link to full listing of member clinics
Services May Include:
— Primary care
— Preventive screenings
— Chronic disease management
— Behavioral health support
— Pharmacy assistance
— Referrals to community resources
Who They Help: Uninsured, underinsured, and low-income patients seeking no-cost medical care.
National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
Website: A listing of HRSA-funded Health Centers is available at Find a Health Center Directory
Services May Include:
— Comprehensive primary care
— Preventive screenings
— Behavioral health services
— Chronic disease management
— Pharmacy and medication assistance
— Social service navigation
Who They Help: Patients who are uninsured, underinsured, low-income, or living in medically underserved communities.
340B Drug Pricing Program | HRSA
Website: https://www.hrsa.gov/opa
Patients may be able to receive medications from their provider through this program, depending on how the clinic/hospital invests those rebates. Link to HRSA or the Hospital Association for more information on 340B Drug Pricing Program.
PHYSICIAN ACTION STEPS
— Ask every patient if medication costs are a concern.
— Screen for affordability barriers before treatment failure occurs.
— Refer patients to disease-specific assistance programs.
— Utilize social workers, patient navigators, and pharmacists.
— Follow up to ensure medications were obtained.
— Advocate for equitable access to treatment.
KEY MESSAGE
The best medication is not simply the one prescribed.
The best medication is the one the patient can obtain, afford, and take consistently.
ASK
Discuss affordability at every medication change.
SCREEN
Identify financial barriers early.
REFER
Connect patients with assistance programs.
FOLLOW UP
Verify medications were obtained.
ADVOCATE
Support appeals and access efforts when needed.
Disclaimer: The information in this Patient Resource Guide is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your physician or healthcare provider. The Liver Coalition and Patient Advocates United in San Diego do not endorse or recommend any specific doctor, clinic, hospital, medical group, medication, or treatment listed in this guide. Patients should always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding personal medical decisions or concerns.