FREE MEDICINE
Programs Make Prescription Drugs Available Free
Washington Times, Washington D.C.
March 27, 2003
It has often said that the best things in life are free and that expression can even be applied to something that's usually associated with a high price tag: prescription drugs.
As cost of prescription medications continues to increase, often making them unaffordable for people without insurance, the drug manufacturers themselves are helping get their products to the people who need them practically free of charge.
Many drug manufacturers sponsor what's called "patient assistance programs". These programs are intended to help those who otherwise can't afford prescription drugs-including people who are unemployed or lack health insurance, and seniors who don't have prescription drug coverage under Medicare- obtain the medications they need. In 2001 alone, patient assistance programs helped 3.1 million Americans fill more than 10 million prescriptions - with estimated value of $1.5 Billion.
Most people, however, including qualified doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals - are not even aware that these programs exist. Fortunately there is now a volunteer organization dedicated to pointing people in the right direction.
The Free Medicine Program cuts though the red tape of application process by helping people enroll in patient assistance programs. It also helps simplify the rules, guidelines and procedures, and helps expedite the submission process. Once patients are approved, the free medication is generally sent just two to three weeks.
Because of the organization's groundbreaking work in this area, physicians nationwide are currently distributing Free Medicine Program brochures to their patients. Even Social Security offices have brochures available to their constitutes.
For more information or to apply, call (646) 205-8000 or visit
http://www.freemedicineprogram.com.
This is an excerpt of their page...
If you’re seeking relief from the rising costs of prescription
medicines, look no further. Established
by volunteers, Free Medicine Program can
provide you with the assistance you need, and
the help you deserve.
Our dedication to assisting individuals who have no
insurance and can’t afford to purchase their medicines
has brought us great success in this area, and has
resulted in substantial savings on monthly prescription
drug bills for countless families nationwide.
Perhaps like you, the majority of our applicants have
too much income to qualify for government prescription
assistance, but not enough to purchase private
prescription drug insurance coverage, or are living on
retirement income, disability or other assistance.
None of this should disqualify you from obtaining the
assistance you need to purchase your medicines, and
at the Free Medicine Program, it doesn’t!
Many drug manufacturers sponsor what’s
called Patient Assistance Programs. These programs
are intended to help those who can’t
afford their prescription drugs obtain them
absolutely FREE!
This includes people that are uninsured, or whose
insurance does not cover prescription drugs, unemployed,
or whose employer does not provide health
insurance and seniors who don’t have prescription
drug coverage under Medicare.
Unfortunately, most people, including qualified
doctors, nurses, social workers, and other
health professionals, are not aware that these
programs even exist.
The ever-changing requirements and the application
process to qualify for patient assistance program(s) are
tedious, confusing and very time-consuming.
We, at Free Medicine Program, cut
through the red tape by actually assisting
you in applying for enrollment in patient assistance
program(s), and with the cooperation of your
physician you can obtain prescription medicine(s) free
of charge.
In 2001 alone, these programs have helped an estimated
3.1 million patients fill more than 10
million prescriptions with an estimated value
$ 1.5 billion!
Our goal at the Free Medicine Program is to:
Find the appropriate Patient Assistance
Program(s) for you.
Provide you with the latest, most complete and
accurate application information.
Simplify the rules, guidelines and procedures.
Expedite the submission process, by preparing
your customized submission package.
Guide and assist you in your application process.
Our Promise to You
While we cannot absolutely guarantee your approval,
we do promise you to work diligently on your behalf,
to obtain the assistance you deserve. Our team of
volunteers is committed to providing you with the
assistance necessary to obtain Free prescription
medicines. Our track record speaks for itself, and we
look forward to adding your name to our long list of
successes!
If you know someone else who may benefit from this
program, please pass the information on to him or
her. And if you have any questions, comments or
suggestions for the Free Medicine Program team, do
not hesitate to contact us at (646) 205-8000 or visit
us on the internet at www.freemedicineprogram.com.
To begin the application process now, simply fill out
and mail to us the required items on your Medicine
Information Form.
For more brochures, please call (646) 205-8000.
*According to the data from Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of America.
© Madison Consulting Solutions, Inc.
Most drug manufacturers help people in financial
need, regardless of their age. However, in order to
qualify you need to meet the following basic requirements:
You do not currently have insurance coverage
for outpatient prescription medicines.
Your income is at a level that causes hardship
when prescription medicines are purchased at
retail price.
You do not qualify for a government or third
party program that provides for prescription
medicine coverage.
Keep in mind that sponsor’s individual’s
income criteria vary with family incomes ranging
from below the poverty level to up to
$ 60,000!
Those applicants normally qualifying at the highest
income limits are generally MS, AIDS, transplant or
cancer patients in need of very expensive drugs.
Once you’re ready to apply for the Free Medicine
Program, all you need to do is to fill out, sign
and return a Medication Information Form in
this brochure.
As soon as we receive this information, we get right
to work for you! We will immediately process the
information you have sent us, and send you a customized
information package, prepared specifically
to your individual needs.
In your personalized package, you will find a letter to
your physician. Because the assistance of your doctor
will have significant bearing on your acceptance in the
program, we strongly suggest you talk with your
physician about the patient assistance program right
away.
Also in the personalized package, you will find a few
quick, easy-to-follow steps to be taken by you and
your physician necessary to proceed with the application
process. Upon completion of these, the application(
s) are sent to the appropriate drug
manufacturer(s), and considered for approval.
The good news is that once approved, your free prescription
medicines are generally sent to you
in just two to three weeks!
Because of our groundbreaking work in this area,
physicians nationwide are currently distributing Free
Medicine Program brochures to their patients. In fact,
even the U.S. government social security offices have
brochures available for their constituents.
While the funds necessary to distribute this information
and support the Free Medicine Program are
obtained through a one-time processing fee of $5,
contributed by each applicant, the money is refunded
if we are unable to find you assistance in obtaining
your prescription medicines free, or at a significantly
reduced cost.
Guarantee
If you receive no medication and are determined to be
ineligible for Patient Assistance Program(s) by all
applicable drug manufacturers, we will gladly refund
you a full application-processing fee, no questions
asked. All we need from you is a copy of the
letter sent to you from the applicable prescription
drug manufacturer(s)
explaining why you
are ineligible. Keep
in mind; all refund
requests must be
made in writing within
90 days after the
original application is
made to the Free
Medicine Program.
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