Reducing Medication Costs: Other Places To Get Help

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a U.S. Public Health Service agency in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). AHRQ serves the public, health professionals, and policymakers by providing evidence-based information to help with decision making about and quality of health care services.

BenefitsCheckUp is a comprehensive online service that provides people aged 55 and over with confidential, personalized reports of public and private programs that can help save money on prescription drugs. In addition to identifying the programs, BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program.

BenefitsCheckUp is a service of the National Council on the Aging.

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CDER evaluates new drugs to make sure they are safe and effective. CDER ensures that prescription and over-the-counter drugs, both brand name and generic, work correctly and that the health benefits outweigh known risks.

The Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs section of Medicare.gov provides information on public and private programs that offer discounted or free medication, programs that provide help with other health care costs, and Medicare health plans that include prescription coverage.

If you don't have prescription coverage, you can answer questions online or over the phone to see if you qualify for free or nearly free medicines. The Partnership's toll-free phone number is 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).

AARP is a national organization founded in 1973 to promote quality of life for older people. AARP provides information and education about issues affecting older people, including medication costs; advocates at the national, state, and local levels; and provides opportunities for service and involvement.

The American Academy of Family Physicians produces a variety of health-related educational materials. Its Web site offers a health library and bulletin board, news, and comments sections.

The mission of NCOA is to improve the lives of older Americans. Its programs help older people remain healthy and independent, find jobs, increase access to benefits programs, and discover meaningful ways to continue contributing to society. Programs can help with prescription drug costs, health promotion, rent, energy bills, food, and more.