Prescription drug assistance programs in California
California residents, whether insured or not, have several dependable ways to lower the cost of their prescriptions or even get free medications Long-running state programs continue to help Medicare beneficiaries and people living with HIV, while county and statewide options can reduce out-of-pocket prices for families who are uninsured or underinsured. Find details below on where and how to get help with prescriptions in CA with links to contact information.
Help in CA for people on Medicare
California also provides prescription savings for residents who receive Medicare. Pharmacies that participate in Medi-Cal offer Medicare beneficiaries prescription prices that follow the Medi-Cal rate structure. This applies to people under sixty-five who receive Medicare because of a disability as well as older adults and it can be combined with other financial help available for seniors in CA, as there are many programs.
- There is no application process and no enrollment cost. A Medicare card is all that is needed at a participating pharmacy. The exact of amount of savings will vary, and it depends on many factors, including the pharmacy, whether it is a generic medication or brand name prescription, and what the government discount is. Often the prices will change over time as the manufacturer adjust prices due to competition or other factors. Residents who want help understanding prescription pricing or comparing Medicare coverage options can contact HICAP, the statewide Medicare counseling program, by calling 1-800-434-0222.
- It is important to note that only Medi-Cal pharmacy providers in California are required to participate. While are several thousand across the state, only those pharmacies are required to charge a Medicare recipient the lower priced prescription rate. So you should ask your regular pharmacy or retailer if they are an approved Medi-Cal provider because that will guarantee you the lowest price on your prescriptions or you can even look here for other programs to pay for prescriptions - national options too. In addition, you can always ask the pharmacy about their pricing to ensure you are benefiting.
California AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
The California AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) remains a core resource for adults with a documented HIV diagnosis who live in the state and do not have adequate prescription coverage. ADAP covers a wide range of HIV drugs along with many related medications that help people manage long-term health needs.
- The program is available to residents who do not have affordable prescription coverage through other sources, whether from the government or private insurance plans. Applications, enrollment sites, and the full list of covered medicines are available from the California Department of Public Health at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/OAadap.aspx or by calling 916-449-5900.
Additional Rx savings and discount programs in CA
California also has other ways for residents to access lower-cost prescription drugs. CalRx is the state’s initiative to make essential medications more affordable by partnering with manufacturers to produce low-cost generics. The first products include lower-priced insulin, and additional medications are planned. Information about CalRx products and availability can be found at https://calrx.ca.gov.
Women and men who need help paying for reproductive health medications may be able to use Family PACT. This statewide program pays for birth control, emergency contraception and related medications for people who meet income rules and live in California. Clinics as well as doctors / medical providers enrolled in Family PACT can determine eligibility during an appointment and help patients access prescriptions without cost.
- Information is at https://familypact.org/. Medications authorized for Family PACT are filled through the state’s Medi-Cal Rx system, and the program covers name-brand or generic contraceptives depending on medical need.
Additional savings are available through the Live Healthy prescription discount program offered by the National Association of Counties. California counties may choose to participate, and many do. The card is free, open to all residents, and reduces the retail cost of many common medications. It can be used by insured and uninsured residents. People can check county participation, print a card, or find a nearby pharmacy. The program’s customer service line is 877-321-2652.
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