FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Medicare Drug Coverage.   Preliminary info on the new Medicare drug plan can be found at Medicare Factsheets and  Medicare Spotlights.

Illinois Drug Discount Program.  Seniors and the disabled living in Illinois can receive discounts of 20% to 30% on drugs.  See the  Illinois Rx Buying Program or call 866-215-3462 for information.

Illinois "Circuit Breaker" and "Senior Care" Programs.  Circuit Breaker provides discounts on certain medications for senior citizens and severely disabled persons. In addition to discount medicine, Circuit Breaker participants also qualify for property tax grants and discount license plates. SeniorCare provides Medicaid prescription benefits to low-income senior citizens and disabled individuals. Go to Circuit Breaker or call 1-800-356-6302.

Illinois Pharmaceutical Benefits  Illinois Benefits, an education, screening and enrollment tool designed to keep you in the loop about health care and other benefits, rights and options in the state of Illinois.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY PROGRAMS

Partnership for Prescription Assistance  The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them.1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)

Generic Mestinon Available!  Two pharmaceutical companies, Watson Pharmaceuticals and Sandoz now provide pyridostigmine bromide tablets.  Contact your pharmacist for details. 

Cell Cept.  You may be able to receive Cell Cept at no charge from the manufacturer, Roche.  Call 1-800-772-5790 for details.

Drug manufacturers.  Many drug manufacturers have patient assistance programs that provide free or discounted medications for those that qualify. Ask your pharmacists for the phone number for the specific drug company or go to HelpingPatients (800-762-4636) or  RxHope (877-979-4673). The Together Card has discounts for seven companies.  Call 800-865-7211. Here are a few direct manufacturer contacts:

PRIVATE PROGRAMS

AARP Pharmacy Program provides good medication prices. Call them at 800-289-8849.  You can order a catalog of medications by calling 1-800-456-2277.

MGFA has discount information on drugs. 

Mail Discounts.  For a list of licensed Canadian Pharmacies go to United Health Alliance or call them at 866-633-7482.  Or, compare prices among several plans at DestinationRx. 

Other.  Ask your doctor for free samples or contact Benefits Checkup to find other programs you may qualify for.