In Pain, Out of Work and Can't Pay the Bills
A Resource Directory for People with CRPS

Patient Assistance Programs

There are several patient assistance programs (PAP) designed to help low-income people with limited or no prescription drug coverage. State and government programs offer discounts and subsidies, and most pharmaceutical manufacturers have patient assistance programs that provide free drugs to those who qualify. Therein lies the rub: a key qualifier is that drugs are only dispensed for medication if it is being used within the Federal Drug Administration's approved indication (ie, "on label"). Many people with CRPS rely on "off-label" uses of medications. Still, it is worth checking into. At the very least, you might get a substantial reduction in the price.

A note about opioids: Most manufacturers have removed these drugs from their patient assistance plans. Purdue Pharma, L.P., manufacturer of OxyContin^®, is the exception. Your physician must call Purdue Pharma (800.599.6070) and request an application for you. You must provide copies of your income tax return and evidence of your monthly expenses, but when it is all said and done, it is possible to get the drug free of charge. The drug will be dispensed by your physician. However, Purdue Pharma will not dispense drugs to those individuals who are in the Medicare Part D "donut hole."

The following information is provided as a service only. RSDSA does not endorse any of these programs.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)
The PPA helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need for free or nearly free. Their mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible, and offer a single point of access to more than 475 public and private programs, including nearly 200 offered by pharmaceutical companies.

To find out if you qualify for free or discounted drugs, call toll-free 888.477.2669 or visit the website, and click on the left hand box for patients. You will be asked to enter the medications you need and personal information (age, income, insurance coverage) to determine if you qualify.

National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) Medication Assistance Programs
Through the NORD Patient Assistance Program, eligible patients are provided with cost-free medications. For information about the programs listed on the website, use the contact information associated with that particular program or e-mail PatientAssistance@rarediseases.org.

Patient Advocation Foundation's Co-Pay Relief Program: Pain Fund

AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings Program from AstraZeneca

Web-based Resources

BenefitsCheckUp
This organization provides people 55 years and older with a report of public and private programs to help them save money on prescription drugs. It also can help you find help with rent, property taxes, heating bills, meals, and other needs. For more information on BenefitsCheckUp, visit the website or e-mail comments@benefitscheckup.org.

NeedyMeds
A national not-for-profit that has information on programs that help people who can't afford their medications and healthcare costs. NeedyMeds has data on over 2,400 programs and nearly 11,000 free/low-cost/sliding-scale clinics. All our data is free, easy to access, and updated regularly.

NeedyMeds also offers a free drug discount card that's accepted at nearly 60,000 pharmacies. Anyone can use the card regardless of income level, insurance status, age or residency. The card offers a discount ranging from nothing to 75% on prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and medical supplies when written on a prescription form, and pet prescription drugs purchased at a pharmacy. The average savings is 50%. The card is free and there is no registration process or cost. The card can be downloaded from the website or obtained by sending NeedyMeds a self-addressed stamped envelope.

RxHope
RxHope is a free web-based service that helps prescribers and patient advocates apply, obtain, and track requests for no cost medication for patients who are unable to afford them and who have no access to prescription insurance or government-funded programs. They can help identify:

• Federal, state and charitable agencies that have patient assistance programs
• Ways to register on the Internet
• How to navigate the Drug Information Center, State and Federal Assistance Programs, Healthcare Links, and Pharmaceutical Company Links

Contact:
RxHope
P.O. Box 5836
Somerset, NJ 08875
Phone: 732.507.7400 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm EST)
Fax: 732.507.7600
E-mail: CustomerService@RxHope.com

Rx Outreach
Rx Outreach is managed by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc. (ESSDS), a fully-licensed mail order pharmacy that is committed to making the use of prescription drugs safer and more affordable. Rx Outreach is not a prescription insurance program nor an Internet pharmacy.
Contact:
Customer Service: 800.769.3880
(Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm CST)
E-mail: rxoutreach@express-scripts.com

Workers Comp Rx
A pharmacy service for injured workers with open claims provides medications with no out-of-pocket costs.
Contact:
Workers Comp Rx
Toll-free: 888.2COMPRX (888.226.6779)
E-mail: peter.stavropoulos@innoviantpharmacy.com

Watch Out for Scams!

MyFreeMedicine.com, LLC advertised on television and the radio that they could get free prescription medicine for "eligible" consumers. After paying $199.95 to enroll, people were directed to pharmaceutical-company-run programs. Consumers found they were not eligible for all the medications they need.

The Federal Trade Commission complained to the US District Court. The FTC has also published a consumer alert, No Need to Pay for Information on Free (or Low-Cost) Rx Drugs.

State Programs

Many states have programs in place to subsidize the cost of pharmaceuticals or offer discounts for elders, low-income residents, and others.

Introduction
Assistive Devices
Caregiver Resources
Clinical Trials
Disability Resources
Government Assistance Programs
Health Services/Insurance
Independent Living Centers
Legal Aid
Living Expenses
Patient Assistance Programs
Service, Faith-based, and Private Organizations
Transportation
Veterans
Workers Compensation

Appendices:
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Finding Free Clinics

Updated October 26, 2010