Internet Prescription Drug Programs
Medicare’s Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) , introduced in January 2006, was specifically designed to cut drug costs for seniors and people with chronic disabilities. Some reports have shown the plan as a cost-savings, while others have portrayed it as being no less expensive than non-Medicare plans. To address the large cost of medications, there are several online pharmacies and other companies that offer additional discounts beyond what the government can offer. As you do your homework to learn more about the Medicare drug plan, you may also want to look into these online prescription services, some of which are listed below.
Major Umbrella Site
Partnering with pharmaceutical companies, doctors, pharmacists, patient advocates, and community groups, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) provides a single access point to 400+ public and private programs designed to aid patients lacking prescription coverage. Along with information on government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, the site covers 200+ programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Organizations collaborating with PPA include the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, the Lupus Foundation of American, the NAACP, and the National Medical Association. PPA’s toll-free number is 1-888-477-2669.
Additional Online Prescription Services
- DestinationRX is a free-membership site that searches for the lowest online prices for specific medications. The company describes itself as providing “free, easy-to-use tools to help you securely manage and make decisions about prescription purchases for you and your family.”
- NeedyMeds.org collects information about patient assistance programs for people without health insurance or who can’t afford to buy their medications. The company claims that the free information contained on its website is reliable because they regularly contact drug companies to confirm the information’s accuracy.
- BenefitsCheckUp is an interactive site run by the National Council on Aging. The company helps people aged 55 and over connect with private and government programs that may help them pay for prescription drugs.
RESOURCES:
BenefitsCheckUp
http://www.benefitscheckup.org/
DestinationRX
http://www.destinationrx.com/
FamiliesUSA
http://www.familiesusa.org/
NeedyMeds.com
http://www.needymeds.com
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
https://www.pparx.org
References:
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Available at: http://www.aarp.org/research/press-center/presscurrentnews/high_drug_prices.html. Accessed November, 2005.
The cost of brand name medicine is rising sharply: Medicare part D plans are failing to keep the costs down. Needymeds.com. Available at: http://www.needymeds.com/articles/medicationcostrising.tml. Accessed July 28, 2006.
Large negotiated price discounts continue in Medicare part D: the report. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website. Available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1886. Accessed on July 28, 2006.
Partnership for prescription assistance program overview. Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Available at: https://www.pparx.org/about.php. Accessed July 28, 2006.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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