Patient Assistance Programs: How to Get Help Paying for Medications

When you need a life-saving drug but can’t afford it, patient assistance programs, free or low-cost medication support offered by drug companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. Also known as PAPs, these programs are often the only way people with low income or no insurance get the medicines they need. They’re not a secret—just hard to find. Many don’t know the drugmaker that makes their pill also runs a program that gives it away for free if their income is under $50,000 a year.

These programs aren’t just for the poor. Even people with Medicare Part D can qualify for Extra Help Program, a federal program that cuts prescription costs to just a few dollars per month for low-income seniors. Also called LIS, it works alongside Medicare and covers dozens of common drugs—from insulin to blood pressure pills. And it’s not just about price: generic drug savings, the billions saved yearly when brand-name drugs lose patent protection. Also known as generic medication cost reduction, it’s what makes programs like Extra Help possible in the first place. When a drug goes generic, prices drop up to 90%. That’s why the FDA’s approval of generics each year saves Americans over $400 billion annually—money that flows into patient assistance funds.

Not all programs are the same. Some are run by drugmakers like Pfizer or Novo Nordisk, others by nonprofits like NeedyMeds or the Patient Access Network Foundation. Some require proof of income, others need a doctor’s note. Some cover only specific drugs—like GLP-1 agonists for weight loss or isotretinoin for severe acne. And yes, some even help with off-label uses if your doctor says it’s medically necessary. The key is applying early, because approval can take weeks. You can’t wait until your prescription runs out.

There’s no single form to fill out. Each program has its own rules. But if you’re on Medicare, start with Extra Help. If you’re under 65 and uninsured, check the drugmaker’s website directly. Many have patient support hotlines. And if you’re paying full price for a generic, you’re likely overpaying—those savings should be going to you, not the pharmacy.

What you’ll find below are real stories and real guides: how a senior in Ohio cut their insulin cost from $300 to $10 a month, why a young adult with eczema got free ceramide creams through a patient program, how someone with diabetes used methotrexate safely while managing blood sugar, and why so many people miss out on help because they think they earn too much—even when they don’t. These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re the exact steps people took to get their meds when they had no other option.