Feeling the pressure of high prescription costs is an all too common experience. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between your health and your finances. You can get direct assistance with medication by applying for government programs like Medicare Extra Help, seeking aid from nonprofit foundations, or enrolling in patient assistance programs (PAPs) offered by drug manufacturers. Beyond these programs, practical strategies like switching to lower-cost generic drugs or using nonprofit mail-order pharmacies can also provide significant savings. This guide will walk you through each of these options.
Federal and state governments offer several powerful programs designed to make prescriptions more affordable, especially for those with limited incomes.
Medicare Savings Programs, or MSPs, are state-run programs that help more than 12 million older adults and people with disabilities afford their healthcare costs. Depending on your income, an MSP can pay for your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Just having your Part B premium covered can save you over $2,000 a year. If you qualify for an MSP, you automatically get Extra Help with your drug costs, too.
Extra Help is a federal program that provides significant assistance with medication for Medicare beneficiaries. Also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), this program is worth an average of about $6,200 per person annually. It helps pay for Part D premiums and deductibles and lowers your copayments for each prescription to just a few dollars. An estimated 14 million people are enrolled, but millions more who are eligible have not yet signed up.
Beyond broad federal aid, states offer targeted support.
State Prescription Assistance Programs (SPAPs): At least 48 states run their own SPAPs. These programs vary widely, with some helping seniors pay for Part D premiums and others targeting specific diseases. It’s always worth checking your state’s health department website to see what assistance with medication they offer.
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP): A crucial type of SPAP, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program provides lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications to low-income individuals. This federally funded, state-run program serves approximately 235,615 people in the U.S. each year, representing a massive public health investment of around $2.4 billion annually.
For those on Medicare, understanding the system’s quirks is key to unlocking savings.
Each year, private insurers can change the premiums, deductibles, and drug coverage lists (formularies) for their Part D plans. Comparing plans during the annual open enrollment period is the best way to ensure you’re not overpaying. However, studies show only about 13% of enrollees voluntarily switch plans, meaning many are likely missing out on potential savings.
If you qualify for full Extra Help but don’t have a Part D plan, Medicare provides a safety net. You will be automatically enrolled into a basic plan with a zero-dollar premium to ensure you don’t have any gaps in your prescription coverage. You can always switch to a different plan later if the one you’re assigned doesn’t fit your needs.
Starting in 2025, a new program will offer major relief from high upfront drug costs. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan allows you to pay your out-of-pocket expenses in fixed monthly installments over the year instead of all at once at the pharmacy. This cost-smoothing feature, combined with the new $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs, will provide much-needed predictability and assistance with medication payments.
If you have Extra Help but the pharmacy charges you the wrong amount, don’t panic. First, show the pharmacist your Extra Help award letter or Medicaid card. If they can’t fix it on the spot, you can call your Part D plan or 1-800-MEDICARE. For newly eligible individuals, Medicare’s Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition (LI NET) program provides temporary drug coverage for up to two months, preventing you from having to pay full price while you get enrolled in a plan.
Many non‑governmental organizations and drug manufacturers also provide a financial safety net for patients. Clinics and nonprofits can become community partners to receive medicine for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Independent nonprofit organizations like the PAN Foundation or HealthWell Foundation offer grants to help patients afford their medications. These charities often focus on specific diseases and provide funds to cover copays, deductibles, and premiums. The five largest independent charities increased the assistance they provide by an incredible 588% between 2007 and 2016. In 2022 alone, the PAN Foundation provided nearly $300 million in financial assistance with medication to over 132,000 patients.
Drug companies themselves are a major source of help. They offer Patient Assistance Programs, or PAPs, that provide free or discounted brand-name medications to people who are uninsured or underinsured and meet certain income guidelines. For those seeking IVF support, you can also look into low‑cost options for affording fertility medications through nonprofit donation programs. Nearly every brand-name drug has some form of manufacturer assistance available, and these companies collectively provide billions of dollars in aid each year.
Beyond formal programs, several practical strategies can lower your prescription costs right away.
It can be overwhelming to search for help on your own. An assistance program finder tool is an online resource that does the work for you. Websites like NeedyMeds are free national clearinghouses that list hundreds of PAPs and other programs, telling you exactly how to apply. If your clinic or campus group needs help sourcing Plan B–type medications, SIRUM runs an emergency contraception access program that prioritizes small organizations.
One of the simplest ways to save is to choose generic drugs over their brand-name counterparts. Generics contain the same active ingredients and are held to the same FDA standards for safety and quality, but they typically cost 80 to 85 percent less. In 2022, generic and biosimilar drugs saved Americans an incredible $408 billion.
You’ve likely seen ads for free prescription discount cards from companies like GoodRx. Anyone can use these cards at the pharmacy to get a negotiated lower price, which can sometimes be cheaper than an insurance copay. Just remember that what you pay using a discount card doesn’t count toward your insurance deductible.
Getting your long-term medications through a mail-order pharmacy can offer both convenience and savings. Many insurance plans offer a lower copay for a 90-day supply. Even better, nonprofit mail-order pharmacies can provide deep, consistent discounts. For example, SIRUM’s Good Pill home delivery pharmacy delivers 90‑day supplies of common generic medications for a simple administrative fee, often just $6, with free shipping. This model is a fantastic alternative for finding affordable assistance with medication, helping patients save over $150 per month on average.
Applying for most programs requires a bit of paperwork. Be prepared to provide:
A completed application form (often with a section for your doctor)
Proof of income (like tax returns or pay stubs)
Information about your current insurance status
While the requirements can sometimes feel cumbersome, gathering your documents ahead of time can make the process much smoother. Don’t let the paperwork deter you from getting the financial help you need. There are many avenues for assistance with medication, and exploring them can lead to significant savings and peace of mind. And if you have unopened medicines you no longer need, you can donate over‑the‑counter medications to help others.
For those looking for a simple, low‑cost solution for their generic prescriptions, a nonprofit home delivery pharmacy may be the perfect fit. Explore affordable medication resources and next steps.
If you have Medicare and a limited income, you may qualify for the Extra Help program, which helps pay for your Part D prescription drug costs. You can also apply for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) through your state, which can help with premiums and other costs.
You can visit the drug manufacturer’s website directly or use an assistance program finder tool. These free online databases let you search by medication name to find available programs, eligibility requirements, and application forms.
Not always, but sometimes they can be. It’s best to compare prices. Ask the pharmacist for your insurance copay price and the price with a discount card. Choose whichever is lower. Remember that payments made with a discount card do not apply to your insurance deductible.
A manufacturer’s program (PAP) is run directly by the drug company and typically provides its own medications for free or at a discount. A charitable patient assistance foundation is an independent nonprofit that provides financial grants that you can use to pay for copays, deductibles, or premiums for various medications.
Most applications require you to provide proof of your financial situation and residency. Common documents include recent tax returns, pay stubs, Social Security benefit statements, and a copy of your driver’s license or other ID.
Yes, absolutely. Many programs are specifically designed for the uninsured. Pharmaceutical manufacturer PAPs, charitable foundations, and nonprofit mail-order pharmacies like Good Pill are all excellent sources of assistance with medication for those without insurance coverage.
Still have questions about SIRUM or Good Pill? Visit sirum.org for more information, or use the "Get in Touch" form to reach out with specific questions.
