Child Health Plus
Child Health Plus is a New York State sponsored health insurance program for children up to age 19. Child Health Plus provides comprehensive health coverage including well visits, specialty visits, laboratory, x-rays and diagnostic services, hospitalization, dental visits, vision care, prescription drugs, speech and hearing services, and much more.
Your children can qualify if they do not have health insurance. There is no monthly premium for families with a gross income of less than 1.6 of the federal poverty level. Families with higher incomes pay a monthly premium ranging from $9 per child to the full premium.
To find out more, visit www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/what_is_chp.htm
Prescription Discount Cards and GVHP-Rx
Prescription discount cards can be an effective way of lowering drug costs. Prescription discount cards entitle the holder to a discount off the retail price of prescription medicine at participating drug stores.
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Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs for Free and Low-Cost Medicine
Patient assistance programs are charitable programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers that make certain branded and generic medicine available for free or very low cost. People served by these programs typically have low incomes and no prescription drug coverage. Individual companies have their own income eligibility standards although most programs help patients whose monthly household incomes fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. A few companies make special exceptions for patients with high medical costs, so inquiries can be made to specific programs. Each company has its own application process.
There are Web sites that allow individuals to find out if his or her medication is available through a manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance program. Usually, the individual can either download an application or find a toll free phone number to obtain an application. A sample of websites are:
- www.rxassist.org - an online tool that helps healthcare providers or consumers find information on pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs for free or low cost drugs.
- www.needymeds.com - is a site designed to provide information about patient assistance programs that provide no cost prescription medications to eligible participants.
- www.PPARx.org - Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a collaboration of pharmaceutical companies, health care providers, advocacy groups, and community groups that assists patients, prescribers, and caregivers with finding out what prescription drug patient assistance programs are available. Applications can be downloaded online as well. To find out more, visit their website, or call 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).
Organizations that Help with Applying to Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs - Since the application process can be difficult to navigate, a number of organizations can help guide a patient or caregiver through the application process starting with provision of the necessary application forms
- www.FreeMedicineFoundation.com- a patient advocacy organization that helps coordinate the application process for a small administrative fee of $5 per prescription. Visit the website or call, 1-866-841-4680.
- www.PPARx.org- Partnership for Prescription Assistance, will help individuals apply to pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs. Call 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).
What If You Have Health Insurance?
Sometimes people who have medical health insurance but do not have prescription coverage may be able to access a discount program through their insurer. The discount program may consist of a mail order service for health insurance members or possibly discount arrangements with select pharmacies.
For more information, contact the member services representative for your health insurance company.
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