Anyone out there KNOW WHERE A PATIENT CAN GO FOR *EMERGENCY* FUNDS FOR RXS THAT EXCEED MEDICARE COVERAGE GAP??

Question

PATIENT WAS DISCHARGED FROM MONTH LONG HOSPITAL STAY AND HAS MEDICARE D RX COVERAGE BUT NEEDS A VERY EXPENSIVE ANTIBIOTIC TO STAY ALIVE- HE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PFIZER PROGRAM AND NO STATE AGENCE IS OF HELP.......

Answer 1

If you need medicine right now...visit a local emergency room....they usually have social service contacts that can help you obtain funds to purchase your medicine...churches, crisis intervention groups...etc. They may also dispense enough medicine to last 3-5 days while you attempt to obtain social service assistance. Contact the physician who prescribed the medication...they often have samples which they will give you so that you don't have to purchase the medicine. Hospitals have social workers...contact the hospital that dischared the patient to see if their social worker knows of any assistance programs available in your area. Contact pharmacies to see if they have any contacts for the drug company that manufactures the med....the manufacturer may have information on how to obtain assistance.....

Answer 2

Did you try to get the antibiotic in Generic form? Walmart has a program that offers generics for $4 bucks in certain areas of the usa now. Also, did you ask the physician if the infection is able to be treated with a cheaper antibiotic.
I work in a hospital and sometimes the physicians dont understand or get it that some people are poor and cannot afford the most expensive antibiotics and we get them to write scrips for cheaper drugs. We have all kinds of conncetions.
PS: What is the name of the antibiotic?

Answer 3

Check with local churches and charitable organizations to see if they have an emergency fund you can access. Our church has funds set aside for these kinds of requests in their monthly budget. We've paid for prescriptions before as well as having someone's electric bill paid, etc. Get the phone book and start calling churches and tell them your problem. They won't give the money directly to you but will pay the pharmacy after speaking to the health care provider. If churches in your area can't help then try other agencies such as The Junior League, etc. Our Junior League also has an "emergency fund" specifically for this kind of request and if the money for this month has not been allocated then they may be able to help you.