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Patient Assistance Programs for People With Medicare D

Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage for the elderly and disabled. Depending on which Part D plan a consumer chooses, not every prescription drug is going to be covered. Each plan has its own formulary, or list of drugs that it covers. As health conditions change, sometimes Medicare enrollees find themselves in a plan that doesn't cover a new drug that they need, and they end up with drug denials at pharmacies. For these people, pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs.

  1. GlaxoSmithKlein

    • GlaxoSmithKlein offers one of the more generous patient assistance programs for those with Medicare Part D through their GSK Access program. The GSK Access program offers prescription drugs for free to those who qualify. To qualify, a patient must be a U.S. resident who meets income eligibility guidelines (in 2010, an individual should make under $2333.32 monthly), must be enrolled in a Part D plan and must have spent at least $600 already on prescription drugs that calendar year.

      GSK Access

      866-518-4357

      gsk-access.com

    Proctor & Gamble

    • Proctor & Gamble offers assistance for certain pharmaceutical drugs, including Actonel, Asacol, Didronel, Macrobid and Macrodantin. Those who qualify can receive up to a three-month supply at no charge. In order for those with Medicare Part D to qualify, they must have an income between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For an individual in 2010, this is between $16,245 and $21,660 annually. Proctor & Gamble will only assist with the drug if the Part D plan has denied coverage, and the beneficiary must supply a denial letter proving so.

      Procter & Gamble Patient Assistance Program

      P.O. Box 66553

      St. Louis, MO 63166

      800-830-9049

    Pfizer

    • Pfizer offers several patient assistance programs, including Connection to Care, which offers medicine through your doctor's office; First Resource, which offers appeals help and free medication; Sharing the Care, which offers free medications through community health centers; and more. RxAssist reports that some medications are not available to Medicare Part D enrollees through the Pfizer program.

      Pfizer Helpful Answers

      866-706-2400

      pfizerhelpfulanswers.com

    AstraZeneca

    • Through AstraZeneca, Medicare Part D enrollees can access the AZ&Me Prescription Savings program. This program is made especially for those with Part D who have problems affording AstraZeneca brand medications. All AstraZeneca medicines are free, and the program is free to sign up for. Eligibility is based on income. Individuals should make less than $30,000 annually and couples should make less than $40,000 annually. Further, at least 3 percent of your household income must be spent on prescription medications within the calendar year.

      AZ&Me Prescription Savings

      800-292-6363

      astrazeneca-us.com/help-affording-your-medicines

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