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1. I was not able to find a program that carried the medication I needed.
With hundreds of free prescription programs available, it is often difficult to know which
prescription assistance program(s) pertain to your particular situation so that you can get the
free medications that you need. If a program isn't available from your prescription drug's
manufacturer, or if you do not qualify for a particular program, other alternatives are always
available.
The RxFoundation team deals with hundreds of programs every day - we can find
the prescription assistance program that is most appropriate to your particular situation.
2. I thought I did it correctly.
Prescription Assistance Programs require their applications to be filled out completely and
correctly for free prescription medication. Many people find the information requested to be
confusing and even intrusive, thereby increasing the likelihood of errors when applying for
prescription help. If an application is incomplete or if inappropriate documentation (such as
proof of income) is provided, your application will be denied and you will have to start the
entire process over again. This can result in the applicant not receiving their free medication,
and then they will have to purchase their medication at full price (normally 1-2 months worth). A knowledgeable prescription advocate can ensure that your applications are correct and acceptable by the patient assistance program before they are submitted - so that you can
begin receiving free prescription medication as soon as possible.
3. My doctor’s office kept saying they would help.
Most physicians’ offices truly want to help their uninsured patients but are simply unable to
because of the large administrative burden that applying for free prescription programs
causes. They choose rather to focus on delivering quality medical advice and often leave you
to fend for yourself when it comes to being able to afford the medication that they prescribe.
Those who do assist patients in applying for free prescription medication programs often only
assist with filling out and mailing the application. They are usually unable to pre-qualify you
for the best programs available, manage your renewal process and verify accurate
compliance with all the requirements of each prescription assistance program. It is simply not
their area of expertise. As any one mistake causes long delays or outright denial of
assistance, any oversight is very costly. A competent prescription advocate has the expertise
to make sure all of these delays and denials in receiving free prescription medications are
avoided, saving you a large amount of money and heartache.
4. I thought I sent them the information they requested.
Each prescription assistance program requires different documentation
to prove the claims that you make when applying for prescription
assistance. What is acceptable to one specific free medication program
is not always acceptable to others. Many people make the mistake of not
supplying the required documentation or supplying the wrong
documentation based on experience with another prescription assistance
program. The RxFoundation team keeps up to date information on the requirements of patient assistance programs and verifies
that your request is accompanied by all of the correct information to assure that your
application is approved promptly. This saves you a considerable amount of money and
hassle.
5. They said I could appeal. What do they mean?
Most people are unaware that the guidelines for acceptance of an application for free
prescription medication are not always set in stone. Most Prescription Assistance Programs
(PAPs) will take into consideration other aspects that could affect your need for prescription
medication help, such as out of pocket medical costs or changes in your income. However,
each Patient Assistance Program (PAP) has rigorous processes that must be followed in
order to be approved. Only someone knowledgeable and experienced with appealing your
request for free prescription medication will succeed in appealing to multiple Prescription
Assistance Programs (PAPs). The RxFoundation advocacy team successfully pre-qualifies
patients or individuals for approval on appeals and files those appeals successfully every day.
6.
They stopped sending me my medication.
After you receive your initial supply of free prescription medication (normally a 90- day
supply) you will have to reapply in order to receive more free medicine. Many people make
the mistake of applying too early and having their application denied. Others apply too late -
and though the application is approved, the medicine is not received before they run out of
the free medication they already received. In the meantime, they are forced to either go without their
medication or to pay retail prices - costing them money and possibly
endangering their health. The RxFoundation team will make sure that you reapply within the
window provided by the individual Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) to ensure a
smooth renewal process.
7. I did not know that I could get assistance with this medication.
There is more prescription medication assistance available than most people know.
However, it takes a great amount of skill to take full advantage of all the prescription
assistance that you can possibly receive. A wise patient will take into account the overall
savings and health benefits that a prescription advocate can provide and hire one that
he/she feels can provide the best assistance. The cost of hiring a prescription advocate is
small in comparison to the cost of making mistakes and not taking full advantage of all of the
programs available. The average RxFoundation member realizes a savings of
over 75% of their out-of-pocket prescription costs - even after paying for RXF's advocacy
services.
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