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Prescription Drug Assistance

Information on government programs, non-profit organizations and pharmaceutical companies offering free or low-cost medication.

Psychiatric medications do not cure mental illness. However, they can significantly improve symptoms and help promote recovery and wellness. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to maintain your wellness when faced with the ever-increasing cost of psychiatric medications.

There are three types of assistance that can help with the cost of prescription medications:

Government programs offer assistance to individuals with financial needs.

• Most states and counties offer prescription assistance programs. Your NAMI State Organization and NAMI Affiliate is a resource for information about programs in your area.
  
  
• Your state's Medicaid office may have information about prescription assistance and discount programs.
  
  
• If you participate in Medicare Part D and need financial assistance you may be qualified for the federal benefit program called Extra Help. Visit the Medicare Rights Center or call (800) 333-4114 to see if you are eligible.

Non-profit organizations provide information and resources that help with prescription costs, co-pays and premiums and diagnosis-related expenses.

• NeedyMeds helps people of all ages, with and without insurance, locate Patient Assistance Programs, free/low cost clinics, state programs and offer a free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card. For more information, call (978) 865-4115.
  
  
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medication they need for free or nearly free. They offer access to more than 475 public and private programs, including 200 pharmaceutical company programs. For information on the medicines available through patient assistance programs, call the call center (888) 477-2669.
  
  
• RxAssist helps you find information about free and low cost medicine programs and other ways to manage you medication costs in their online Patient Assistance Program Center.
  
  
• RxHope has program descriptions and downloadable applications for prescription assistance programs for specific medications. For more information, call (877) 267-0517.

Many pharmaceutical companies offer medication assistance programs to low-income individuals and families. These programs typically require a doctor's consent, proof of financial status and you may not have a prescription drug benefit through health insurance. You may contact the pharmaceutical directly to get specific eligibility requirements and application information. Below is a listing of commonly prescribed psychiatric medication and information about contacting the pharmaceutical company.

Are there any other ways to reduce the cost of my medication.

Discuss with you doctor any problems you are have affording your medications. They may be able to provide you with free sample medication for a period of time. Or, it may be possible to switch to a less expensive brand-name medication or your medication's generic form.

The following list provides the brand-name and generic name for commonly prescribed medications.

• Ampheamine (Adderall)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Buspione (BuSpar)
• Citalopram Hydrobromide (Celexa)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Lithium
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Comparing pharmacy pricing can sometime save hundreds of dollars.

• GoodRx allows you to compare drug prices from pharmacies in your area, including big pharmacy chains, local pharmacies, and mail order companies.

How will the Affordable Care Act effect prescription costs?

The Affordable Care Act puts into place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will guarantee more choices, improve quality, lower costs and hold insurance companies more accountable.

The Act will be implemented in stages with the Health Insurance Marketplace becoming available in 2014. It is designed to help you find health insurance that is affordable and offers comprehensive coverage, from doctors to medications to hospitalizations.

For the most up-to-date information, visit http://www.healthcare.gov or http://www.cuidadodesalud.gov .

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