Prescription Assistance Program Loosens Eligibility Guidelines, Expands Access

Together Rx Access, a prescription savings program sponsored by some of the nation's largest pharmaceutical companies, has loosened its income eligibility requirements, thereby expanding the number of health consumers who qualify for the program.

According to a March 19 announcement, the program now is available to nearly 90 percent of uninsured Americans.

That's good news family physicians can pass along to their patients who are feeling pinched by America's faltering economy.

The income guidelines that now must be met to qualify for Together Rx Access are

Other rules remain the same. Eligible participants cannot be Medicare-eligible or have any other prescription drug coverage and must be legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico.

A Kaiser Health Tracking Poll released in February 2009 (6-page PDF; About PDFs) and cited by Together Rx Access verifies that the American public is having trouble keeping up with health care costs. According to that poll, 53 percent of Americans surveyed said cost concerns had caused them to cut back on health care in the past year.

The survey also found that 21 percent of respondents had let a prescription go unfilled, and 15 percent said they cut pills in half or skipped doses of medicine.

Additional Kaiser Family Foundation research indicates that a 1 percent rise in the nation's unemployment rate increases the number of uninsured individuals by 1.1 million.

According to the March 19 announcement by Together Rx Access, participants in the program can save 25 percent to 40 percent on more than 300 brand-name prescription products; many generic drugs also are covered. The program currently has 1.8 million cardholders and, by its own accounting, has saved patients more than $81 million since the initiative launched in 2002.

The AAFP applauded the program's new enhanced coverage with a statement of support. "Americans may face financial challenges in meeting their health care needs, resulting in skipped doctors' visits and unfilled prescription medicines for chronic conditions," says the AAFP statement. "We must work together to establish safety nets for those in need to help them better access medical treatments and live healthier lives."