The Will-Grundy Medical Clinic has been helping needy patients for nearly 20 years. One of the great services they offer is free prescription assistance by using Patient Assistance Programs.

Their ‘indigent patient assistance program’ is run entirely by 7 volunteers - some of them retired health care workers. The volunteers review patient charts, write renewal prescriptions, and ready forms for signatures and mailing.

Clinics like Will-Grundy in Chicago are run on love and compassion. Their tireless free medication efforts brought in over $641,000 in free prescription assistance last year for their patients.

We have found that many local free clinics like Will-Grundy do a tremendous amount of manual paperwork that require countless man hours to fill out, check, and then mail and file copies. These clinics may be able to boost productivity and lower costs by using Patient Assistance Program software.

Here is how the medication delivery process is handled:

If you walk down to the nurses’ station, you’ll find Dave seated at a long table with the week’s refill list and the bagged medications. He is usually accompanied by an interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients.

After verifying that the patient and medication go together, he will do a final check ensuring that the medication in the bag compares to the medication listed. He concludes with a handshake and a “thank you.”

Well done, Will-Grundy clinic. Keep up the great work that you do. We love seeing clinics actively using the help available from Patient Assistance Programs to get free medications for indigent and uninsured patients.

As we have discussed before, the rules, regulations, guidelines and requirements of each Patient Assistance Program varies - and the supply amount is no different. However, it’s typical to receive a 90 day supply of medication.

If you have questions about the length of supply, feel free to call the specific drug program and ask. You are being smart to diligently plan for your future of receiving free medication. And because the refill and reapplication windows are strict, the more you plan, the better!

Now that we have covered what a Patient Assistance Progam is, the most important question a patient should ask is, “Just how does this work?”

In general, the process goes something like this:

• You get a prescription from your doctor, but you cannot afford to fill it.
• First, you need to see if your drug is offered through a Patient Assistance Program (PAP). Locate a Patient Assistance Program manufacturer list and check if the drug company that makes your drug is listed.
• If you find it there, make sure to read the requirements - for example, here are the terms to apply for free Prozac.
• Next, fill out the application as required, get the appropriate signatures, and provide the required supporting documents.

That’s the process, but keep in mind that there are specific application windows that need to be followed. The programs are set up very specifically by each company, and it’s mandatory that you follow their requirements and guidelines.

Make sure that you get educated and stay up to date on all aspects of this process. There is prescription assistance out there - you just need to access it properly and stay on top of the process. See Self-Applying for Free Medication for more information.

In order to understand how it’s possible to receive free and low cost medication from the pharmaceutical companies, the first step is understanding exactly what a Patient Assistance Program (PAP) is and how it can help you.

PAPs are programs run independently by pharmaceutical companies. They offer free and low cost prescription medications - the same medications found in pharmacies around the country - to low income, indigent, and uninsured people. These programs provide much-needed support for those who cannot afford their medication costs, but most people are still not aware that these programs exist.

Each company runs its program differently with different deadlines, qualification criteria and procedures. While just about all use income as one of their qualifying factors, they all have different levels of eligibility. So if you do not qualify for one program because you make too much money, it’s possible that you can apply for another program with a similar medication (as directed by your doctor) that has higher income limits. Check with your individual free drug program to find out if you might qualify.

These programs are designed to help, yet so many of those who need the assistance aren’t aware that help is out there.

Do you have any specific questions or comments about Patient Assistance Programs? Do you have a story to share about your journey to free medicine? Please share it with us!