How to Get Prescription Medication Without Health Insurance

If you or your child needs a particular prescription medication, but you don't have health insurance coverage, you may find the medicine is simply too expensive. Many people are finding themselves in a similar situation, but there are methods that might be useful in getting the medication you need.

Things You'll Need

• The name, phone number, and email address of the manufacturer of your medicine
• Tax records
• Paycheck stubs

Instructions

1. Talk to your doctor. If you are on a newer medication, chances are your doctor will have samples in the office or a "free month" discount card to allow you to fill the prescription for free. Most doctors, if you explain your situation, will work with you as much as they can to help you get the medicine for free or at a discounted rate. If you are on an older medication, see if your doctor can switch you to a newer medication that would perform the same function as the older medication but would allow you to take advantage of manufacturer's samples and discounts.

2. Talk to your pharmacist about your problem. Sometimes she will know of a manufacturer's discount being offered that your doctor was unaware of. If they do not know of any such discounts, get from them the phone number of the manufacturer of your medication so you can call them if necessary.

3. Check out the various health discount cards. First of all, these plans are not insurance. The way they work is they make deals with manufacturers and doctors to give you a discount. The cost to join one of these plans is minimal but make sure you will be saving money on that prescription before joining one.

4. See if you are eligible for any state offered health plans. Most states have special plans especially for children that allow parents to get low cost heath care if you have no health coverage but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. In order to apply for any of these plans, you will need your income information.

5. Call or contact the manufacturer of the medication. Most manufacturers offer discounts and free prescriptions if you can show them that you are in need and cannot afford it. You and your doctor will need to fill out some paperwork and you will have to fill out income-related forms. The manufacturer, however, sets their own standards on who they will accept and not accept for their programs and are often fairly lenient with income restrictions if they understand you are not insured. If you qualify for free or discounted medication, you are required to report to them if you manage to acquire health care coverage as well and reapply for aide every year.

Tips & Warnings

• Work on several of these methods simultaneously. You don't know what may work and you need to get the discount on the medicine as quickly as you can. Don't wait for one method to fall through before you check out another.

• Do not join a health discount plan before you check and see what you would be paying for your medication under that plan. Not all discount plans are going to discount your medicine, and in many cases, the discount will not be worth the price you will pay for the plan.

• If you are still making decent money despite not having health insurance, most of the state plans will not help you. In some states, you can qualify with a fairly high income but the premium is higher than the medication, so it is not worth getting.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish