Questions about Health Insurance, Medicare and Medicaid

How can I get health insurance?

The PPARx prescription assistance program was created to make it easier for low-income uninsured patients to get free or nearly free prescription medicines through existing patient assistance programs, while providing the highest level of service. It is not designed to provide information on health insurance programs.

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Where can I get help paying for my insurance premiums and co-payments?

Co-Pay programs provide financial assistance for pharmaceutical products and health insurance premiums to Americans who financially and medically qualify.

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Can Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries qualify?

Each patient assistance program has its own eligibility criteria. Many programs provide prescription assistance for Medicare beneficiaries who do not have full prescription drug benefits. People who are enrolled in other public and privately sponsored programs that include prescription drug coverage may not be eligible for assistance; however, there are some instances in which Medicaid beneficiaries may be eligible for certain patient assistance programs.

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Can I join a patient assistance program and also have a Medicare approved drug discount card?

Yes, it is possible to belong to more than one program.

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How is the Partnership for Prescription Assistance helping connect seniors to the Medicare Drug Benefit program?

Seniors who contact the PPA are provided background and enrollment information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.

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How has the Partnership for Prescription Assistance informed seniors about the Medicare drug benefit?

Background and enrollment information, including information related to the low-income benefit, are provided to seniors who call 1-888-4PPA-NOW.

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Can the Partnership for Prescription Assistance enroll seniors in the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit?

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance cannot directly enroll seniors in the Medicare drug program. However, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance provides seniors with information regarding what steps they need to take to enroll in a prescription drug plan. The toll-free line is staffed with trained specialists to answer questions and send information on Medicare to those who might be eligible.

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What happens to the patient assistance programs and discount card programs offered by the companies now that Medicare is implemented?

Patient assistance programs are for all individuals in need, not solely for those over 65. In fact, more than 80 percent of patients helped by the PPA are not Medicare-eligible. The PPA will continue to help these individuals, and millions like them across the country, with the programs that best meet their needs. The Medicare drug benefit provides seniors with access to comprehensive drug coverage. Each company that sponsors a patient assistance program is handling the transition differently, but seniors may be better served through the comprehensive Medicare drug plan than relying on different private programs. The PPA will continue to help identify available options for seniors.

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