Cancer Medication Assistance Programs

The cost of cancer medicines can be hard to manage. If you are having trouble paying for your medicines, talk with your cancer care team first. They often know about programs and resources that might help pay for medicines.

Resources to reduce the cost of medicines

Public and private programs may be available to help you pay for your medicines. Some programs let people buy medicines at discounted prices. Others cover the full cost of medicines for people who cannot afford to pay.

You will need to complete an application for all of these programs. And most will require information from your doctor, so ask a member of your cancer care team for help, if needed.

No matter which program you use, watch for scams. You can learn more in Health Insurance Scams.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

Website: medicineassistancetool.org

PhRMA created the Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) to help people search for patient assistance resources from different organizations.

Scam alert: There are people who call, email, or knock on doors who say they’re with Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). They often ask for money or personal information. PhRMA does not ask for money and doesn’t call or email people. Contact PhRMA directly if someone does this to you.

NeedyMeds, Inc.

Website: www.needymeds.org
Toll-free number: 1-800-503-6897

NeedyMeds gives information about medicine assistance programs. They do not help you search for or apply to the programs.

NeedyMeds, Inc., also has its own drug discount card on its website that you can print and carry with you. It can be used in certain pharmacies. However, you cannot use it along with your insurance.

Scam alert: There are websites that look like NeedyMeds. These sites may also say that they’re with NeedyMeds, and they may ask for money. NeedyMeds does not ask for money in exchange for its information. Contact NeedyMeds if you see anything like this.

RemediChain

Website: www.donatemymeds.org
Call or text: 833-999-1003

RemediChain takes unused cancer medications and works with local cancer centers in the U.S. to make them available to people who need help paying for treatment. You can register to donate unused medicine or ask for the medicine you need through their website.

BenefitsCheckUp

Website: www.benefitscheckup.org

BenefitsCheckUp is an online resource for people age 65 and older and people with disabilities who have trouble paying for medicines, health care, utilities, food, and other basic needs. It helps you find state, federal, and private benefits programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

By answering questions about where you live, your income, and your medicines, this service can find programs that might help you.

The website also includes questionnaires that search for programs to help with rent, food, housing, property taxes, and other needs.

Medicare services

Website: www.medicare.gov
Toll-free number: 1-800-633-4227. English- and Spanish-speaking staff are available at this number.

Medicare is the United States’ health insurance program for people 65 or older. It may also help younger people with disabilities or other health problems.

This federal government website can help you sign up for Medicare and choose the right Medicare-approved prescription drug plan (called the Part D plan). This plan is based on where you live, your income, and the medicines you take.

You can learn more details about the Medicare Part D drug plans and how to choose one here.

Medicare also has a medication assistance program where you can search for assistance from pharmaceutical companies to help pay for your medicines.

Medicaid services

Website: www.cms.gov/MedicaidGenInfo

Medicaid is a state-run program funded by the federal and state government. It helps people and families who have very limited incomes. Medicaid pays for health care costs, such as doctor visits, hospital visits, and prescription medicines. You can find eligibility requirements and general information on the website above.

Because each state runs its own Medicaid program, income limits, asset limits, and benefits vary by state. In some states, the program may have a different name, such as TennCare or Medi-Cal. Contact your State Health Department to learn about requirements and how to apply.

To find your State Health Department, call the US Department of Health and Human Services at this toll-free number: 1-877-696-6775. You can also find it online at www.usa.gov/state-health.

Other ways to reduce medicine costs

You may also be able to reduce the cost of your medicines without applying for a program using drug (medicine)discount programs or getting medication coverage from a state marketplace.

Store-based medicine discount programs

Some large pharmacies, grocery stores, and discount chains offer certain generic prescriptions at very low rates. You might need to call many places to find the cheapest source for your medicine. You’ll need to know the exact name of the medicine and how to spell it, how much of it you take in each dose, and the number of doses you need in a month’s supply.

State health marketplace

Website: www.healthcare.gov

Toll-free number: 1-800-318-2596 (also in Spanish); TTY: 1-855-889-4325

This resource gives you information about the Health Insurance Marketplace and takes you through the steps of finding insurance and medication coverage. If you don’t have Internet access, the phone number will help you connect with your state’s Marketplace to sign up for a plan.