Patient Assistance Programs: Get Your Prescriptions Free or at Reduced Cost

Millions of Americans qualify for free medications through patient assistance programs but never apply. Here's how to find and access every program available to you.

10M+

Americans Helped Annually

2,500+

Available Programs

Up to 100%

Potential Savings

2–4 Weeks

Avg. Approval Time

Types of Patient Assistance Programs

Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)

Drug makers offer free or discounted meds to qualifying low-income patients.

Eligibility: Typically household income ≤ 300–400% of Federal Poverty Level, no qualifying insurance.

Examples:

Lilly Cares (insulin, Mounjaro)Novo Nordisk PAP (Ozempic, Wegovy)Pfizer RxPathwaysAstraZeneca AZ&Me

Copay Assistance Cards

Manufacturer coupons that reduce your insurance copay — often to $0–$25/month.

Eligibility: Must have commercial insurance (not Medicare/Medicaid). Brand-name drugs only.

Examples:

Ozempic Savings Card ($25/month)Mounjaro Savings CardEliquis Co-pay Card

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)

State-run programs that help residents afford medications, especially seniors.

Eligibility: Varies by state — usually based on age, income, and residency.

Examples:

New York EPICPennsylvania PACENew Jersey PAADConnecticut ConnPACE

Nonprofit & Foundation Programs

Charitable organizations that cover copays or provide free medications.

Eligibility: Varies — often disease-specific with income requirements.

Examples:

NeedyMedsRxAssistHealthWell FoundationPatient Access Network (PAN)

How to Apply in 4 Steps

Check eligibility

Visit the manufacturer's website or NeedyMeds.org to see if you qualify based on income and insurance status.

Gather documents

You'll need proof of income (tax return or pay stubs), insurance information, and a prescription from your doctor.

Submit your application

Most applications can be completed online. Your doctor may need to sign or fax a portion of the form.

Receive your medication

Approved patients get medications mailed directly or via a voucher to use at their pharmacy.

Don't Qualify for a PAP?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for patient assistance programs?

Most programs are for uninsured or underinsured patients earning below 300–400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Some copay cards are available to anyone with commercial insurance.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most manufacturer PAPs respond within 2–4 weeks. Copay cards are often activated instantly at the pharmacy.

Can I use a PAP if I have Medicare?

Yes — many manufacturer PAPs accept Medicare patients. However, copay assistance cards from manufacturers generally cannot be used with Medicare or Medicaid.

Do patient assistance programs cover GLP-1 medications?

Yes. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer PAPs for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for qualifying patients.

Can Script Unlock help me find assistance programs?

Script Unlock focuses on comparing pharmacy prices. For the lowest cash price, compare bids from pharmacies on our platform. For assistance programs, we recommend checking the manufacturer's website or NeedyMeds.org.

Types of Patient Assistance Programs

Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)

Drug makers offer free or discounted meds to qualifying low-income patients.

Eligibility: Typically household income ≤ 300–400% of Federal Poverty Level, no qualifying insurance.

Examples:

Lilly Cares (insulin, Mounjaro)Novo Nordisk PAP (Ozempic, Wegovy)Pfizer RxPathwaysAstraZeneca AZ&Me

Copay Assistance Cards

Manufacturer coupons that reduce your insurance copay — often to $0–$25/month.

Eligibility: Must have commercial insurance (not Medicare/Medicaid). Brand-name drugs only.

Examples:

Ozempic Savings Card ($25/month)Mounjaro Savings CardEliquis Co-pay Card

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)

State-run programs that help residents afford medications, especially seniors.

Eligibility: Varies by state — usually based on age, income, and residency.

Examples:

New York EPICPennsylvania PACENew Jersey PAADConnecticut ConnPACE

Nonprofit & Foundation Programs

Charitable organizations that cover copays or provide free medications.

Eligibility: Varies — often disease-specific with income requirements.

Examples:

NeedyMedsRxAssistHealthWell FoundationPatient Access Network (PAN)

How to Apply in 4 Steps

Check eligibility

Visit the manufacturer's website or NeedyMeds.org to see if you qualify based on income and insurance status.

Gather documents

You'll need proof of income (tax return or pay stubs), insurance information, and a prescription from your doctor.

Submit your application

Most applications can be completed online. Your doctor may need to sign or fax a portion of the form.

Receive your medication

Approved patients get medications mailed directly or via a voucher to use at their pharmacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for patient assistance programs?

Most programs are for uninsured or underinsured patients earning below 300–400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Some copay cards are available to anyone with commercial insurance.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most manufacturer PAPs respond within 2–4 weeks. Copay cards are often activated instantly at the pharmacy.

Can I use a PAP if I have Medicare?

Yes — many manufacturer PAPs accept Medicare patients. However, copay assistance cards from manufacturers generally cannot be used with Medicare or Medicaid.

Do patient assistance programs cover GLP-1 medications?

Yes. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly offer PAPs for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for qualifying patients.

Can Script Unlock help me find assistance programs?