Health insurance and prescription drug costs
Prescription drugs can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family. Many insurers offer a prescription drug plan that may be included in your policy or can be bought separately. Under most plans, you either pay a set amount for each filled prescription (for example, $10) or a set percentage of a drug's retail cost. Plans often have some limits.
Medicare and prescription drug costs
Medicare does not directly pay for prescription drugs. Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) is run by private insurance companies under contract with Medicare. Medicare Part D offers several plans to help cover prescription drug costs. Before joining one of these plans, it’s important to compare the benefits offered by each plan. For information on Medicare prescription drug benefits, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov.
Prescription drug assistance programs
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
For people with limited income who are struggling to pay for prescription drugs, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) offers low-cost and free prescription programs.
Linking A.R.M.S.TM
Linking A.R.M.S.™ is a partnership between Susan G. Komen® and CancerCare. For those who are eligible, Linking A.R.M.S.TM provides financial assistance grants. These grants can be used for oral chemotherapy and hormone therapy medications, pain and anti-nausea medication, medical equipment and lymphedema support and supplies. Call our breast cancer helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) for more information.
Co-Pay Relief Program
The Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR) is a partnership between Susan G. Komen® and the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). CPR provides financial support for prescription drug co-payment assistance to insured patients, including those with Medicare Part D, who qualify. This program has telephone counselors who personally guide you through the enrollment process. To learn more about CPR, visit www.copays.org.
Updated 04/28/13
