Consumer Guide to Health Care

Prescription Drug Assistance Programs

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Prescription drugs are a major expense for many health care consumers. Some insurance programs provide no or limited coverage for these drugs. Here are some places to turn for help and information.

• Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Resource Center has information on programs that might save you money on your prescription drugs. Here you can find out how to buy medications from Wisconsin-approved Canadian pharmacies and from Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom under the I-SaveRx program developed by the State of Illinois and open to Wisconsin residents.
  
  

• BadgerRx Gold: This program offers Wisconsin residents who do not have adequate prescription drug insurance a way to save money on their drug purchases. There are no income or age requirements and no restrictions based on pre-existing conditions. There is an annual fee to join the program.
  
  

• Wisconsin Cancer Drug Repository. This is a program in which unused medications can be donated to a participating pharmacy or medical facility and given to those who cannot afford medications.
  
  

• Partnership for Prescription Assistance is an interactive Web site that can help you find government and private prescription drug assistance programs if you are low-income and uninsured. Help is also available by phone at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).
  
  

• NeedyMeds can provide additional information on free or reduced-fee prescription drug programs available to those in need.
  
  

• Rx Outreach, offered by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc., a mail order pharmacy company, provides generic drugs in 90- or 180-day quantities for reduced prices. The program is available to individuals and families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level who have no or limited prescription drug coverage.
  
  

• Pfizer Helpful Answers provides information on how you can get Pfizer medications free or at reduced prices. If you do not have insurance that covers prescription drugs there may be a program for you regardless of age or income. You can also call toll-free 1-866-776-3700 for more information.
  
  

• If you or a loved one have a rare disease, a National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) Medical Assistance Program may be able to help you find free or reduced-fee prescription drugs for your condition.
  
  

• BenefitsCheckUp, a service of the National Council on the Aging, can help you find public and private programs that may be able to help pay for your prescription drugs.
  
  

• SeniorCare is a prescription drug assistance program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and who meet the eligibility criteria. The SeniorCare Web site, by the Department of Health Services, provides additional information on the program.
  
  

• Information about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. 

Last Revised: July 01, 2008