How to Get Your Psych Meds For Free

If you've ever been prescribed a psychiatric medication then you've probably experienced the shock at the register once you've had the prescription filled, especially if you do not have any insurance coverage. Even if you have insurance you may have a prescription cap that is met early in the year that leaves you to pay for the rest of the year. Often these meds leave you in the position of choosing between getting the meds or paying rent (forget food, many of these meds run $400/month and above). You know you need the medication but you don't have the resources to pay for it. What's a person to do? Check out this list for tips on getting the meds you need for less (or even free).

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tax returns from the previous year
• Copy of pay stubs
• Letter from the Social Security Department stating your monthly income (if applicable)
• Denial letter from medicaid/medicare
• Proof of insurance (if applicable)
• Cost of montly bills
• Your physician's support

1. Organize your paperwork. Create a file with proof of income, copies of tax returns and other relevant papers.

2. Go ahead and apply for medicaid/medicare. Most programs require a proof of denial from these programs. You will decrease your wait time if you have this done before you start the next step.

3. Go to http://www.needymeds.com/ and look for your particular medication(s). You will find the majority of the forms you need here. If the form is not available they will usually have instructions on how to obtain the form. There are other sites out there but I have found this one to be the most up-to-date with all the medication programs.

4. Complete the form. If you cannot do this yourself have your advocate do it for you. Attach copies of all relevant paperwork that the drug company requests.

5. If you have insurance and it does not cover your medication you will need to obtain a letter from your provider stating the medication is not covered. If your medication is not covered because you've reached your cap then you need a letter stating this also.

6. Once you have completed these forms you need to make an appointment with your physician to have him/her fill out the sections of the form requiring a physician's signature. You will most likely have to attach a written prescription from your physician.

7. Mail in the forms.

8. Wait. Processing your application can take anywhere from two weeks to two months. You may be asked to provide additional information before you receive approval.

9. Once approved, the medication will be shipped to your physician. You will have to go into the office to pick it up. Supplies are usually shipped for three months but, depending on your physician, you may only be issued one month's supply at a time.

10. Send a thank you letter to your physician's office. These programs take a little extra time on the part of many employees. Most of them don't mind but a little appreciation goes a long way.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for samples until you get approval from the drug program.
• Ask your pharmacist to only sell you a week's supply at a time. Splitting up the cost may make it easier to get by.
• Ask your physician to prescribe your medication in a higher dose. The higher dose often costs the same as the lower dose. You can buy a pill splitter to split the pill into the proper dose.
• Be patient. These things take time.
• Many of these programs approve people with an income of over 200% above the poverty level. Do not assume you make too much money to qualify for these programs.

Resources

• NeedyMeds