Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Programs
Millions of seniors across the country struggle to afford their prescription medications. A study conducted by the CDC found that as many as 3% of seniors delay filling prescriptions, take lower doses, or skip doses altogether so that they can cut back on costs.
This is a dangerous strategy for anyone with a chronic health issue like heart disease or diabetes. Any gap in treatment could put their life at severe risk. To help address this problem, Simplefill and other organizations now offer senior prescription drug assistance programs.
In this blog, learn more about why seniors are struggling so much and how Simplefill can help.
Why Seniors Can’t Afford Their Medications
Healthcare costs have increased for everyone, and medications are a big part of these expenses. Seniors tend to struggle the most with high prices for a number of reasons, including more serious medical issues.
Many people over 65 live with multiple chronic health conditions. That means they rely on several types of medications. When someone needs to take several prescription drugs to maintain their health, the costs can rise beyond what they can typically afford.
Despite the rising costs of medication, most seniors live on fixed incomes. They may rely on pensions, which don’t increase as a salary might based on inflation rates or other factors. Their monthly income stays the same while the prices of everything around them rise.
There is also the problem of limited coverage. Medicare Part D offers some drug coverage, but previously, donut hole periods led to reduced assistance, and seniors had to either pay more out of pocket or choose a more expensive plan. You can read more about the changes coming in 2025 in our blog Cheaper Prescription Drugs If Proposed Bill Succeeds and Trump Signs Executive Action to Lower Drug Prices.
How a Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program Works
Senior prescription drug assistance programs offer financial help for those 65 and over who rely on prescription medications. They make it easier for patients to find affordable generic drugs as well as alternative funding support.
Seniors have access to a few different types of programs, including state-sponsored options that are unique to each state and have specific eligibility requirements. Some of these programs even work in conjunction with Medicare Part D.
Additionally, some pharmaceutical companies offer programs to make certain medications more affordable for those who need them. These programs might specifically target one type of medication.
Senior prescription drug assistance programs not only make it easier for seniors to better afford their medications but also address coverage gaps. Applying for these programs is not always simple, however.
Because there are so many options, each with different eligibility requirements, it can be tough for seniors to know what assistance may be available. That is where Simplefill comes in.
Simplefill’s medication assistance program stays up to date on available medication assistance programs and their requirements, and then, it does all of the applying for members on their behalf. The program helps seniors receive medications like these:
- Abilify
- Apidra
- Atrovent
- Benicar
- Cialis
- Dulera
- Eliquis
- Evenity
- Genvoya
- Humulin
- Januvia
- Restasis
- Ozempic
- Prevacid
- Uloric
Simplefill supports access to thousands of medications, so seniors with a wide range of health concerns can receive more affordable healthcare. Members can benefit from lower costs for medications that treat diabetes, arthritis, dementia, asthma, and many other conditions.
Seniors who rely on Simplefill have a better chance of being accepted into medication assistance programs. Simplefill fills out and submits thorough applications to demonstrate that a senior requires the drugs that they’re struggling to afford. It also follows up on each application to help prevent setbacks.
Types of Prescription Assistance Programs
Simplefill helps patients access a wide variety of prescription assistance programs by managing the research, applications, and follow-up process on their behalf. There are many types of prescription assistant programs available including:
- Pharmaceutical Company Programs: Many drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs (PAPs) that provide free or discounted medications to people who qualify based on income or insurance status.
- Foundations and Nonprofits: There are nonprofit organizations and disease-specific foundations that provide funding or copay assistance for individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, cancer, and heart disease.
- State-Sponsored Senior Drug Assistance Programs: Some states offer their own senior prescription assistance programs to help residents 65 and older afford medications not fully covered by Medicare Part D.
- Generic Drug Discount Programs: These programs help patients access lower-cost alternatives to brand-name medications, often through special pharmacy arrangements.
Because each program has different requirements, forms, and deadlines, applying on your own can be overwhelming. Simplefill simplifies the process by identifying eligible programs for you, filling out all necessary forms, submitting them on your behalf, and following up to help ensure a successful outcome.
Get Affordable Access to Prescription Medications
Simplefill is a full-service prescription assistance company that researches, qualifies, and maintains patients’ enrollment in all sources of assistance available to them.
Apply today by calling 877-386-0206. A caring Simplefill representative will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your application and, if qualified, enroll you in the program.