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Medications, Supplements & Lab Tests
If you can’t afford the treatment you need, don’t give up hope just yet. Try these things first.
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[/fright]Some of these programs require low-income. Some do not. And some think "low-income" means "less than $75,000 per year."
If you can’t afford the treatment you need, don’t give up hope just yet. Try these things first.
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Rest assured, these programs do work. How a Bunch of Different People Got a Bunch of Different Meds Real Cheap. If these folks can do it, you can do it too!
Local Programs
- Try contacting low-income healthcare programs in your area and inquire about prescription assistance. Make sure to check all types of programs: clinics, centers, and hospital financial aid programs.
- You can also try asking your doctor if they can prescribe a cheaper medication, or one that is covered by your health insurance.
State Programs
- RxAssist has a list of state drug discount programs.
- NeedyMeds - drug discount program
- Good RX - drug discount program with some fantastic savings
- RxAssist - database of patient assistance programs
- Rx Outreach - over 400 free or discounted medications
- RX Access provides savings to low income people
- RxHope your doctor, nurse or caseworker will fill out a form
- Patientservices - Good program for certain expensive medications.
- Supplement Websites - Thank you to Cort Johnson & Health Rising
- How to Get Supplements Cheap By Buying Them in Bulk
- Overseas Pharmacies - Also from Health Rising
- Buying Drugs From Canada - A Good Choice for Fibro and CFS/ME?
- If you got turned down or did not apply, check out: How to Get Medicaid Even if You Don't Qualify for Medicaid
- Direct-Access Testing - Save money if paying out-of-pocket.
- Some laboratories have financial aid programs that will allow you to get bloodwork and other tests for free! Here’s an example of one from Quest Labs.
- If you lack money, health insurance, or transportation check out: How to Get to the Doctor When You Can’t Get to the Doctor
- Patient Services - assistance with premiums and co-payments
- The HealthWell Foundation - co-payments for important medical treatments.
- Medicare Extra Help - For people on Medicare
- How to Escape Medicare Fees - Also for people on Medicare (obviously)
- Medicaid - Some states will allow you to have Medicaid plus other insurance.
- LymeTAP.com - Lyme Testing Access Program.
- Lymelight Foundation - For patients from birth through age 25.
- LymeAid4Kids - For Lyme treatment for those under age 21.
- The Patient Advocate Foundation free case management services
- Patient Services - assistance with navigating healthcare & insurance
- Financial survival for Spoonies: How to Be Poor in America
- Financial survival while applying for disability: How to Survive While Applying
"You do not have to be really poor to qualify for some of these programs. Some programs consider you low income if you make less than $75,000 per year"
"I know several people who depend on Free Prescription Discount Cards for their medications. The amount of discounts vary greatly depending on the type of card, the pharmacy you use and the medication. Look for Free Prescription Discount Cards. This is different than paid prescription card memberships."
"Do not pay anyone for info on free or low cost meds or medical care. There are some sites that charge for this info. You do not have to have someone else find this info. The same info is available to you that is available to the people that charge for this info."
"When you apply for a program, it can take a few weeks for everything to get started so you shouldn't wait until you're almost out of your current prescription."
"Some pharmacies have home delivery services. If you are too sick to pick-up your medications, your local taxi company will often pick-up and deliver your medication for a fixed cost."
"In Canada, the province of Ontario will cover the cost of supplements for certain mitochondrial diseases. Learn more here and here. For dentistry, which is not covered by our healthcare, some colleges & universities will offer discounted and/or free dental care and/or procedures".
Check out more of Lily's guides on how to navigate “the system” on Health Rising:
- How to be Poor In America
- The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability
- How I Got Approved for Disability"
![ME/CFS lecture | Dr Nancy Klimas | 2011 [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / SEID / New Zealand] - YouTube](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
