Patient resources
Other places to get help with medication and health care costs, beyond patient assistance programs.
Medicare Part D
Medicare drug coverage comes from private insurance plans that Medicare approves. You can get it as a stand-alone Part D plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. Costs and covered drugs vary by plan and by where you live.
- Compare plans every year during open enrollment, from October 15 to December 7.
- Part D plans now have a yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs.
- If your income and savings are limited, Extra Help can pay for most of your premiums and drug costs. You apply through Social Security.
- Some patient assistance programs allow patients with Medicare Part D to apply.
- Compare Medicare drug plans (opens in a new tab)
Medicare's plan finder. Enter your medications to see costs in each plan.
- Apply for Extra Help (opens in a new tab)
Social Security's application for help paying Part D costs.
- Get free one-on-one Medicare counseling (opens in a new tab)
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you choose a plan.
- Help with drug costs (opens in a new tab)
Medicare's overview of programs that lower prescription costs.
Free or low-cost health care
If you're uninsured or can't afford care, these services can help with visits, prescriptions, and finding coverage.
- Find a community health center (opens in a new tab)
Health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income.
- Find a free or charitable clinic (opens in a new tab)
Free clinics provide care to uninsured people and often help with medication.
- Health insurance and Medicaid (opens in a new tab)
See if you qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or lower-cost Marketplace coverage.
- Call or text 211 (opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential referrals to local help with health care, food, housing, and bills.
- BenefitsCheckUp (opens in a new tab)
For adults 55 and older: find benefits that help pay for medication and other costs.
- Eldercare Locator (opens in a new tab)
Connects older adults and caregivers with local services.
Help with co-pays
If you have insurance and cannot afford your co-pay or premium, these charitable foundations may be able to help. Each program helps cover specific medications and diseases. Funds do open and close throughout the calendar year, so be sure to check back if funding is not currently available.
- HealthWell Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Patient Advocate Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Good Days (opens in a new tab)
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Help paying for HIV medication (opens in a new tab)
Every state runs an AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for people with HIV.
Health care for veterans
Most veterans who served on active duty and weren't dishonorably discharged can apply for VA health care, including prescriptions. Eligibility doesn't depend on serving in combat, and many veterans pay little or nothing for care. Call the VA at 877-222-8387 for help applying.
- VA health care eligibility (opens in a new tab)
Check whether you qualify and apply online.
State programs
Some states run their own programs to help residents, especially older adults and people with disabilities, pay for prescriptions. Programs vary a lot by state. A SHIP counselor can tell you what your state offers.
Federal poverty guidelines
Many patient assistance programs set their income limit as a percentage of the federal poverty guidelines, for example 300% of the poverty level. The guidelines are updated every year and depend on how many people are in your household.
- This year's poverty guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Brochures
A printable guide to finding help on RxAssist, with a savings card.