Adults - No Drug Coverage

Family Health Plus

Family Health Plus is a New York State public health insurance program for single adults, parents, and couples without children who are between the ages of 19 and 64 with limited income. People who do not have health insurance may be eligible if their income is too high to qualify for Medicaid.

Family Health Plus provides comprehensive health coverage including primary care, dental care, lab and diagnostic tests, hospitalization, prescription medicine, diabetic supplies, and many other services. There is no annual premium under Family Health Plus.

To find out more, visit www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/fhplus/ or call Family Health Plus 1-877-934-7587.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a program for New Yorkers who can't pay for medical care. People who meet certain income, resource requirements, age, or disability requirements may be eligible for enrollment. Even with a higher income, pregnant women and children, disabled persons, and those with high medical bills may qualify.

Medicaid covers many health care services such as physician visits, hospital inpatient and outpatient visits, diagnostic services, medicine, dental care, supplies and equipment, mental health treatment, ambulance, family planning, and more.

To find out more, visit www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/index.htm  or call you local department of social services to enroll.

Healthy New York

Healthy New York is a lower cost health insurance option for small businesses that do not contribute towards health insurance, uninsured sole proprietors, and working individuals without health insurance. New York State sponsors this program through health maintenance organizations in your area.

The benefit package covers essential health needs including inpatient and outpatient services, physician visits, maternity care, diagnostic testing and x-ray, and emergency services. A limited prescription benefit can be included at additional cost. There is a co-pay for services which are provided by participating providers.

To find out more, visit www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hny.htm or call Healthy New York, 1-866-Healthy NY (1-866-432-5849).

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.

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 websites 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.