Finding Help with the Cost of Medications

ENERGY IN ACTION - EPISODE 053

Finding Help with the Cost of Medications

Carla Dellaporta is the Director of User Engagement for NeedyMeds, a 501(c)(3) national non-profit that connects people to programs that will help them afford their medications and other healthcare costs.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

What is NeedyMeds?

NeedyMeds is a national non-profit with a mission to educate and empower those seeking affordable healthcare. We're here to connect people, free and anonymously, to healthcare cost-saving programs and educational resources.

How does a patient qualify for a patient assistance program?

If someone is having difficulty affording any healthcare expense, we encourage people to turn to NeedyMeds. Our experts will make a connection to a program that will help save on expenses. Each program has eligibility requirements and they vary. In speaking with a call center counselor or using our website, someone will know right away if they qualify for a program.

In addition to medication assistance, what other healthcare cost-saving programs are available?

After a call center counselor assists with any medicine expense programs available, they use the diagnosis-based assistance program tool to identify any additional savings for expenses related to a particular diagnosis. This tool can also be used on our website. There are programs available to help with expenses for equipment, electronics, vehicle repairs and modifications, living expenses, household expenses, medical expenses and even respite expenses.

What is the drug discount card and how do you use it?

The NeedyMeds drug discount card is free and can save on medication costs when used at over 65,000 pharmacies nationwide. There's a pharmacy search tool on the website, or you can call the toll free number, to find a pharmacy near you that accepts the NeedyMeds drug discount card. The NeedyMeds drug discount card can be used for prescriptions and also over-the-counter medications and supplements when your healthcare provider writes a prescription for them. Not every drug will have a savings option, but we have a drug savings calculator on our website where you can see what a medication will cost in advance of visiting a pharmacy.

Do you have to have insurance to qualify for assistance programs?

You can use the drug discount card with or without insurance. For other healthcare cost-saving programs, it will depend on the eligibility criteria for each program.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

NeedyMeds Website

needymeds.org

Marcel’s Way Family Fund

mitoaction.org/marcelsway/

NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card

https://www.needymeds.org/drug-discount-card

Partner with NeedyMeds

https://www.needymeds.org/partner-with-needymeds

NeedyMeds Toll Free HelpLine 1-800-503-6897

CONNECT WITH MITOACTION

Website