The process requires filling out forms, proving your income (or lack there of) and your doctor signing the form and submitting a prescription. The process can take several months for your medication to be approved and shipped to you. You will also have to reapply periodically; how often you must reapply depends on the policies of that medication company. There is a group in Utah who specializes in filling out the paperwork for you for a small fee.
Find Out If You Qualify
Some PAPs require those with a slightly larger income to make a co-payment for a portion of the cost of their medications. Others charge no co-payment to anyone. Each drug company is free to set their own guidelines on whom and how much they will help low-income and uninsured patients. This is similar to the medicare part d "Extra Help" program.
Because it can take quite a bit of time to be approved for these programs, what can be done in the meantime to obtain affordable medication? If your doctor happens to have samples, you may be able to obtain some or all of the medication you need until your PAP medications arrive. However, this is not usually the case.
If you find yourself un-insured while awaiting approval of a PAP, you will need to find the very lowest prices available while making certain you are obtaining top-quality medications. The new medicare part d government plan can be helpful, but has monthly fees and an annual deductible.
A Good Alternative
Canadian mail order sources are probably a better alternative. To ensure that you are dealing with a legal and reputable source, select a company that requires confirmation of your prescription by your U.S. doctor as well as sign off by a Canadian doctor.
Just be careful though, any company that advertises "no prescription required" is operating illegally as well as without standard pharmacy ethics. Most of these companies have been shut down, but beware if you locate a company offering this type of service.
Hopefully, you can get help through PAPs if you need this assistance. However, many people are turned down each year. To help you while you are applying, search for and review Canadian mail order prescription services to find the best prices available. To locate the Utah group mentioned above go here http://www.medicareaide.com and click on the right hand link that says "Free Prescriptions (Fee For Service)"
Submitted by Darwin Corby
Professional Services Canada
1-800-946-4820
Specializing in Canadian Pharmacy Services
