How to Get Breast Cancer Prescription Drug Assistance

Having breast cancer is difficult enough without having to worry about how to pay for a prescription drug too. Unfortunately, this is exactly the situation many breast cancer patients and their families must endure. However, there are drug prescription assistance programs available. If you or someone you love is affected by breast cancer, learn how to get breast cancer prescription drug assistance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Written referral from your doctor
• Financial statements, as applicable

1. Be aware that pharmaceutical drug companies make prescription drug assistance programs available to breast cancer patients. You may be eligible to get part or all of your prescriptions covered if you don't have medical insurance with prescription drug coverage, if you don't qualify for government assistance and if you can demonstrate that the cost of your breast cancer prescription drug will create a financial hardship.
2. Ask your doctor for help in applying for breast cancer prescription drug assistance programs. At the very least, he or she should be able to provide you with the drug manufacturer's name and possibly their telephone number, which you can call to inquire about any prescription drug assistance programs they may offer and how to apply for them. Further, most prescription drug assistance programs will require a statement from your physician.
3. Complete the application forms carefully and thoroughly for any breast cancer prescription drug assistance programs you apply to. Otherwise, the application will be denied or returned to you, causing a delay in getting assistance.
4. Keep copies of each breast cancer prescription drug assistance program you apply for before mailing them. You will need to use the information they provide to send subsequent renewal applications.
5. Renew your application for breast cancer prescription drug assistance with the same companies before your prescription runs out. This will ensure that you will always maintain a steady supply of your medications.
6. Apply for a grant from the Linking A.R.M.S. program offered by CancerCare.org. This organization provides financial grants yearly, specifically to help ease the financial burden of paying for breast cancer prescription drugs (see Resources below).
7. Apply for breast cancer prescription drug assistance if you have medical insurance but still cannot afford your medications by completing the online application at the HealthWell Foundation website (see Resources below).
8. Apply for multiple prescription drug assistance programs through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which includes funding to assist breast cancer patients (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If your application to a pharmaceutical drug company is denied, ask your doctor about prescribing a generic form of the medication and then apply to the manufacturer of that drug.