Patient Assistance Resources

Prescription Drugs

Needymeds.org

Needymeds is a national nonprofit that provides education and resources to patients seeking affordable healthcare options. In particular, they offer a free drug discount card, a generic drug discount plan and a variety of patient assistance opportunities.

NeedyMeds offers a toll-free helpline for those needing more assistance. Call 800-503-6897.

https://www.needymeds.org/

Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation
Novartis prescription aid for patients needing specialty or oncology medication.
866-884-5906
http://www.pap.novartis.com

PAN Foundation
FundFinder is a new web-based app designed to help you quickly learn when financial assistance is available for a life-threatening, chronic or rare disease at PAN and other charitable foundations.
FundFinder

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.
888-477-2669
www.pparx.org

Insurance

Navigating Appeals
http://www.patientadvocate.org/requests/publications/Guide-Appeals-Process.pdf 

Resource Guide for Uninsured Patients
http://www.patientadvocate.org/requests/publications/National-Uninsured-Resource.pdf

Resource Directory for Underinsured Patients
http://www.patientadvocate.org/NURD/index2.php?application=underinsured#scrollto

Medicare

For Medicare, the resources are a federal ombudsman program:

https://www.cms.gov/Center/Special-Topic/Ombudsman-Center.html 

https://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html

https://www.cms.gov/Center/Special-Topic/Ombudsman/How-the-Medicare-Beneficiary-Ombudsman-Works-for-You.pdf

Generally, beneficiaries are directed to their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIPs) : You can find the phone number for your state’s SHIP by visiting Medicare.gov/contacts or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Or visit this link to search for your state SHIP contact information: https://www.shiptacenter.org/

Rare Disorders

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
203-744-0100
http://www.rarediseases.org