How can I get my prescription if I can't afford it?

Asked by: Dr. Kennedy Leffler DDS  |  Last update: August 31, 2025
Score: 5/5 (34 votes)

If you are struggling to afford your medication even with insurance, some resources to help are prescription discount cards, Medicaid, Medicare, pharmaceutical assistance programs, and nonprofits.

What if I can't afford my prescription?

Many pharmaceutical companies, state programs and nonprofits have drug assistance programs (PAPs) that offer free or low-cost medicines if you don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine. Programs and program benefits vary.

When patients cannot afford their medications?

Public assistance programs provide drugs to low-income patients at reduced costs. Recommended for: Patients with financial hardship who are eligible for a local, state, or federal program. Benefits: Provide access to generic or brand-name prescription drugs for free or at very low cost.

What happens if I don't pay for my prescription?

How penalty charges are calculated. If you're sent a PCN, you'll be asked to pay both: the original NHS prescription or dental treatment charges. an additional penalty charge.

What to do if my prescription is too expensive?

These tips may help minimize your prescription drug costs.
  1. Choose a network pharmacy. ...
  2. Check into home delivery options. ...
  3. Order online. ...
  4. Use discount programs. ...
  5. Ask for generics when you can. ...
  6. Switch to a different form of the same drug. ...
  7. Ask for a 90-day supply. ...
  8. Reach out to assistance programs.

Can't Afford Your Medication? There's Help.

19 related questions found

What do I do if I run out of prescription?

If you cannot get in touch with your doctor or you are in immediate need of your medication, go to a nearby pharmacy and tell them you need an emergency supply. You may be required to provide proof of your Rx, so bring your prescription bottle with you.

Why is my prescription suddenly so expensive?

Higher cost to the manufacturer is one of the most common causes of a price increase, and you will see the difference passed on to you at the pharmacy.

What happens if I cant get my prescription?

Visit a healthcare professional including a pharmacist or your doctor. If you can, you should contact the healthcare professional who prescribes your medication to give you a prescription. If you are unable to do this, you can get medication from a pharmacist in emergency circumstances.

Who is exempt from paying for prescriptions?

You can get free NHS prescriptions if:
  • You are aged 60 or over.
  • You are under the age of 16.
  • You are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education.
  • You are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate.
  • You have a valid medical exemption certificate.

What is prescription abandonment?

Patients with financial barriers may choose to not fill their prescriptions, also known as prescription abandonment. 2. In 2019, approximately 9% of all prescriptions were abandoned at retail pharmacies, although this rate increased to approximately 60% when cost sharing was more than $500 per fill.

How many people cannot afford prescription drugs?

As many as 18 million Americans can't afford their prescribed medications, a new nationwide poll finds. That's 7% of the adult population in the United States. But when it comes to households making less than $24,000 per year, the percentage jumps to 19%, the West Health/Gallup poll revealed.

What do you do when patients Cannot pay?

9 ways to help patients when they can't afford care
  1. Have the money conversation.
  2. Get creative with your scheduling.
  3. Offer a payment plan.
  4. Create a sliding fee scale.
  5. Accept what they can offer.
  6. See them pro bono.
  7. Refer them or help them find assistance.
  8. Barter.

How to get a prescription without insurance?

Apply for state drug assistance programs by contacting your local state insurance commissioner's office. You can find a link to state specific medication programs on your state webpage. Drug replacement programs may be available to assist you by providing medications directly to your physician's office for your use.

What does social security extra help pay for?

The Extra Help program helps with the cost of your prescription drugs, like deductibles and copays. You can apply for Extra Help any time before or after you enroll in Part D.

Can my doctor refuse to give me my prescription?

Breach of duty: Doctors have a duty to provide appropriate medical care to their patients. If they breach this duty by not prescribing necessary medication, they may be held liable for any resulting harm.

Can GoodRx prescribe medication?

Now, with a GoodRx Gold membership, you can: See a doctor or healthcare provider online for $19 per visit. Get treatments and prescriptions for conditions ranging from acne to high cholesterol.

What happens if you can't pay for a prescription?

Some nonprofits offer free medicines or financial assistance programs for prescription drugs, insurance premiums, or copays to individuals and families with limited income. If you cannot afford prescription drugs, check if you qualify for an assistance program offered by a nonprofit.

How much is a prepaid prescription?

You can pay a set price for prescriptions for 3 or 12 months, no matter how many you need. A prescription costs £9.90 per item, but prepaying for an unlimited number of prescriptions is: £32.05 for 3 months. £114.50 for 12 months (or 10 Direct Debit instalments of £11.45)

Why do pharmacists deny prescriptions?

Legitimate refusal: A pharmacist can refuse to fill a valid/on-time prescription for a controlled substance if doing so would harm the patient, such as when the patient is allergic to the medication, the medication would adversely interact with other medications that the patient is taking, or the prescribed dose is ...

How to qualify for free prescriptions?

You are eligible for free prescriptions if you:
  1. are 60 or over.
  2. are under 16.
  3. are aged between 16 and 18 and in full-time education.
  4. are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)

What to do when you can't get your prescription?

What you can do
  1. Keep an open line of communication with your care team. ...
  2. Talk to your pharmacist. ...
  3. Try calling another chain to fill the prescription. ...
  4. Try an independent pharmacy. ...
  5. Consider a mail-order pharmacy. ...
  6. Consider the generic form of the drug. ...
  7. Try a different dosage or formulation of the same drug.

Can 111 give a prescription?

111 online Emergency prescriptions

Use this service to request a limited emergency supply of a medicine you've completely run out of. This must be a medicine you are prescribed regularly, through a repeat prescription. You will be charged your usual prescription fee. If you do not usually pay, it will be free.

What to do when a prescription is too expensive?

If you get to the pharmacy and it seems your cost is high, ask your pharmacist if there are any alternatives you can suggest to your provider and/or insurance company. Insurance companies use something called drug formularies, which specify medications they prefer in order to keep costs down.

What is a courtesy refill?

If you take a medicine to treat a long-term condition (one that lasts 3 months or longer), then your prescription plan might use certain rules that affect the price of your medicine and the way you get it. A “courtesy fill” is the number of fills and refills you can order, before these rules fully take effect.

What is the Prescription Drug price Relief Act?

This Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to annually identify the list of “excessively priced” patented, brand name drugs that are being sold in the U.S. at prices higher than the median price in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan.