Important announcement: Following the 2026 merger of Patient Advocate Foundation and the PAN Foundation, this website is now part of Patient Advocate Foundation and remains active during the transition. If you are currently receiving assistance, or would like to apply, visit TotalAssist.org to find your fund and access your account. For help by phone, call 866-512-3861, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm ET. Learn more about the merger and our organization.
If you have a hard time paying for your prescription medications or treatments, help may be available.
Financial assistance options are available from multiple sources: the federal government, state government, nonprofit programs, and the private sector, which usually includes for-profit companies. Note that this list is not all-inclusive, and other financial assistance programs may be available. The types of insurance that are accepted or are relevant are listed next to each program.
Federal government programs
Extra Help
Type of insurance: Medicare
The Extra Help Program—also called the Low-Income Subsidy Program—is a federal program available to people with Medicare that helps pay for out-of-pocket drug costs. To qualify for the program, you must have limited income and resources.
Learn more about the program and how to apply using these resources:
- PAN Foundation: Guide to the Extra Help program
- Social Security Administration: Apply for Part D Extra Help
AIDS Drug Assistance Program
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or no insurance all accepted
Under the Ryan White HIV/AIDs Program Part B, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides FDA-approved medications to low-income people with HIV who have limited or no health insurance.
Visit the Health Resources & Services Administration program website for more information.
State government programs
Children’s Health Insurance Program
Type of insurance: No insurance
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage, including prescriptions, to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Each state offers CHIP coverage and works closely with its state Medicaid program.
Learn more at the CHIP website.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Type of insurance: Medicare
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) help low-income seniors and adults with disabilities pay for prescription medications. SPAP coverage varies by state but generally provides Medicare Part D (drug coverage) “wraparound” coverage, so they pay costs that Medicare Part D does not pay.
Visit the Medicare SPAP website to learn more and search by state.
Medicare Savings Programs
Type of insurance: Medicare
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help people with limited income and resources pay some or all their Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
Visit the Medicare Savings Programs website to learn more.
Nonprofit programs
Charitable patient assistance foundations
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, Medicaid, Medicare
Charitable patient assistance foundations, like Patient Advocate Foundation, are independent national organizations that provide financial assistance to eligible patients to help cover out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Patient Advocate Foundation’s TotalAssist program helps you afford eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs including medication copays, coinsurance and deductibles, health insurance premiums, office visit charges the day of treatment, and administration charges related to treatment. Grants are yours to use how you see fit for eligible expenses, so affording care is one less thing to worry about. Learn more about TotalAssist.
FundFinder web app
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, Medicaid, Medicare
Operated by Patient Advocate Foundation, FundFinder is a free web-based app that lets you sign up to track financial assistance funds for your conditions across eight charitable organizations, including Patient Advocate Foundation’s TotalAssist program. You’ll get notified when your funds open, so you can apply for assistance right away.
Sign up for this free resource at FundFinder.org.
Private sector programs
Pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs
Types of insurance: employer or marketplace insurance, no insurance
Through patient assistance programs, pharmaceutical manufacturers provide financial assistance or free drug products to those who are uninsured or commercially insured and meet their income eligibility guidelines. Due to federal regulations, however, pharmaceutical manufacturers cannot provide direct support to patients enrolled in federally funded insurance programs, such as Medicare, apart from a few exceptions.
Visit the NeedyMeds website to search by medication name and more, or check your drug manufacturers’ websites.
