Question:

How does this program work?

Answer:

The Rx4NJ 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. Once you provide the Web site with some basic information related to prescription medicines, income, and current prescription medicine coverage, Rx4NJ will be able to tell you what patient assistance programs you may be eligible for.

Question:

How do I get an application?

Answer:

The best way to apply for a prescription assistance program is to use the Rx4NJ program. It will gather all of the information needed to see if you qualify and will then create an application form that you can print out.

Question:

What drugs are available?

Answer:

The list of drugs changes regularly as companies add them to their prescription assistance programs. The best way to see if your prescription medications are part of a program is to follow the Rx4NJ step-by-step application process.

Question:

Can you add my medication to the list of approved drugs?

Answer:

Decisions about which drugs are included in a prescription assistance program are made by the participating pharmaceutical companies and the prescription assistance programs.

Question:

What drug companies participate in this program?

Answer:

There are currently 48 different pharmaceutical companies participating in this program. You can view the complete list of companies and programs at our sister Web site, www.pparx.org, by clicking here.

Question:

Who qualifies?

Answer:

Millions of people are already benefiting from patient assistant programs - and there are millions more who could be helped. Each patient assistance program has its own eligibility criteria. If you complete the step-by-step application process, you should be able to see if you are eligible for one or more patient assistance programs. Patients with questions about the eligibility criteria of a specific program will be transferred directly to the company sponsoring that program. (Note: There are some instances in which Medicaid beneficiaries may be eligible for certain patient assistance programs.)

Question:

Will non-citizens be eligible?

Answer:

Each patient assistance program has its own eligibility criteria. In addition to prescription benefits status and household income and size, the criteria for some programs include:

• Citizenship status
• Asset guidelines
• Veterans benefits status

Question:

Can Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries qualify?

Answer:

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.

Question:

Can I have other drug coverage and still qualify for a patient assistance program?

Answer:

Yes, there may be some patient assistance programs for which you may be eligible.

Question:

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

Answer:

Yes, there may be some patient assistance programs for which you may be eligible.

Question:

Can I join multiple patient assistance programs?

Answer:

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

Question:

Why am I eligible for patient assistance programs for some medicines, but not others?

Answer:

The eligibility criteria for patient assistance programs vary from program to program and may even vary by medicines within a program, depending upon several factors related to your income, prescription medicines, resident state, age, and current prescription drug coverage.

Question:

I don't need help now. Can I qualify in advance?

Answer:

No. prescription assistance programs are designed to help those who have an immediate need for prescription medication help.

Question:

What questions will applicants be prompted to answer?

Answer:

You should be prepared to provide information about the patient, such as:

• Age
• State of residence and ZIP code
• Estimated gross annual household income
• Number of people living in household
• Brand name of prescription medicines they are currently taking or have been prescribed
• Type of health insurance and/or prescription coverage (if applicable)

Your responses to these questions are completely confidential.

Question:

What happens next if patients are informed that they may be eligible for one or more programs?

Answer:

Patients who may be eligible for one or more programs can use the information provided to contact the relevant program sponsors, and in many cases, they can fill out the relevant application forms online and then print out nearly completed forms. Patients must add or attach the required information and bring it to their doctor's office. Healthcare providers must sign the form and include the specific prescription information or simply attach the actual prescription. Either patients or doctors send the necessary forms to the organization sponsoring the specific program.

Question:

How long does it take for qualified patients to get their medicine?

Answer:

While companies are committed to getting free or nearly free prescription medicines to eligible patients as quickly as possible, each participating patient assistance program has its own timeline. Patients can call the organization sponsoring their patient assistance program to ask when they will receive their medicines.

Question:

How should patients expect to receive their medicine?

Answer:

Depending on the program, the prescription medicines are either sent to the doctor's office or sent to the patient's home. Some patient assistance programs send patients a pharmacy card in the mail that they can use to get their free or nearly free medicines at their local pharmacy.

Question:

What role do doctors and other health care providers play in the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program?

Answer:

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in spreading the word that patients in need can get free or nearly free prescription medicines. Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers can also log on to Rx4NJ to get information on patient assistance programs. Doctors will also be responsible for signing patient application forms, adding prescription information or an actual prescription and, depending on the program, potentially mailing or faxing the application on behalf of the patient.

Question:

What will I have to pay for my prescription?

Answer:

Each specific patient assistance program may have different requirements, depending upon your income and insurance coverage. But if you do not have insurance coverage and have a hard time affording your medicines, many patient assistance programs may provide the medicines free of charge.

Question:

How long can patients get free or nearly free medication from programs available through the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program?

Answer:

Each program available through the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program has its own enrollment and renewal requirements. Many programs require patients to reapply periodically. The specifics of each program will be included in the information packet sent to the patient in the mail.

Question:

If my medication does not appear on your list of approved drugs, does that mean your program cannot help me?

Answer:

The Rx4NJ prescription assistance program can only provide help for the prescription medications contained in our database. If your medication does not come up when you follow the step-by-step application process, you might want to check our Resources page, which has links to other programs that may be of assistance.

Question:

How can I tell the status of my application?

Answer:

You will need to contact the program directly to get the status of your application.

Question:

I would like more information than appears on your Web site. Can you call me?

Answer:

Rx4NJ is not equipped to initiate telephone calls. You can, however, receive assistance by calling this toll-free number: 888-793-6765.

Question:

Is there a telephone number I can call to get more information?

Answer:

Yes. You can reach the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program by calling this toll-free number: 888-793-6765.

Question:

Who is involved in the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program?

Answer:

The Rx4NJ prescription assistance program brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations and civic groups to help low-income, uninsured patients get free or nearly free brand-name medicines. Its mission is to increase awareness of and enrollment in existing patient assistance programs for those who may eligible.

Question:

How does this fit within the existing health care system?

Answer:

Patient assistance programs have been a part of the health care system for a long time, providing millions of people with free or nearly free medicines. The mission of the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program is to increase awareness of and enrollment in existing patient assistance programs for those who may be eligible. While these programs are an important safety net for low-income, uninsured people, they are not the only solution. It is critical that all partners in health care work to develop more long-term options to increase the access to and affordability of health care for all Americans.

Question:

Can you send information directly to my house?

Answer:

The best way to get information about the Rx4NJ prescription assistance program is through the site itself. The information you seek is most likely available on this page.

Question:

How can I get health insurance?

Answer:

The Rx4NJ 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.

Question:

Can you give me information about specific drugs?

Answer:

The Rx4NJ 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. The best way to find out about a specific drug is to consult with your doctor or pharmacist.