Your insurance company, assuming it covers this drug at all, might very well put it in a “tier 3” or “tier 4” category of their drug formulary, meaning that it will cover it - for a hefty fee compared to what you pay for other drugs that are deemed “tier 1” or “tier 2.” Imagine, for example, showing up the pharmacy to pick up methotrexate and Xeljanz. Let’s say your doctor has prescribed Xeljanz (tofacitinib) to treat your rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. The savings from using a copay card to you, the consumer, can be substantial. What Kind of Cost Savings Are We Talking About? You can read more about copay assistance programs for various inflammatory disease drugs here. You may also find one for a branded drug that’s been out for a while if the drug’s patent recently expired (and there’s a cheaper, generic version available). You’re most likely to find a copay assistance program for a drug that’s expensive and relatively new to the market. For What Kind of Medications Are Copay Cards Available?Ĭopay assistance cards don’t exist for every drug on the market, but there are many available. You don’t typically have to prove that paying your regular copay for the medication would present a financial hardship. Program restrictions vary, but generally anyone who has private health insurance (not Medicare or Medicaid) is eligible to enroll in a copay assistance program. Who Is Eligible to Use a Copay Assistance Card? The pharmaceutical company covers the difference. In some cases, you might not owe anything at all. Instead of paying a high copay (perhaps $50, $75, or more, depending on the specifics of your insurance coverage), you pay a lot less. You simply sign up for the program - usually via a form on your drug manufacturer’s website or an independent copay card website like - download or get your card in the mail, and show it at the pharmacy when you go to fill your prescription. What Is a Copay Assistance Card?Ī copay assistance card (also known as a copay savings program, copay coupon, or simply a copay card) is essentially a coupon that makes a medication way less expensive for you. One way to ease your financial burden: Sign up for a copay assistance card. Many newer, cutting-edge medications like biologics are expensive, and it is becoming an unfortunate tactic that your health insurance company, and often your employer, requires that you foot more of the bill by paying a substantially higher copay or coinsurance. If you have a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or Crohn’s disease, there’s a good chance you’re shelling out big bucks to keep up with your drug regimen. For example, copay cards are virtually gone in California. Even if you live elsewhere you can still raise your voice to help protect copay cards by signing up to be an advocate in our 50-State Network. But thanks to our 50-State Network of concerned patients who contacted the Massachusetts State Senate President Karen Spilka, patients got a one-year copay card extension. UPDATE: Copay cards almost went away in Massachusetts in December 2018, which would have dramatically increased costs for patients with chronic conditions who need expensive drugs to stay productive and healthy.
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