OPDP is Open to ALL Oregonians

Oregon Prescription Drug Program In 2003 the Oregon Legislature authorized the formation of the OPDP, a prescription drug purchasing pool, to help increase access to prescription drugs by the uninsured. With the passage of Senate Bill 362 in May 2007, essentially any Oregonian can join the program which offers discounts up to 60% on prescriptions with the highest discount on generics. It is also now possible & EASY to enroll on the OPDP website, www.opdp.org, or by calling ODS directly at 1-800-913-4146. Registration only takes a few minutes and enrollment is FREE.

Download OPDP Brochure

Programs for People of Any Age

• The Partnership for Pharmacy Assistance is a web site sponsored by multiple pharmaceutical companies; you can find over 475 patient assistance programs which help pay for prescription drugs. http://www.PPARx.org
• RxAssist is a national program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help people access prescription drug assistance programs: http://www.rxassist.com
• http://www.needymeds.com
• The Medicine Program is a volunteer organization dedicated to helping people find prescription assistance: http://www.themedicineprogram.com
• The website of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill offers resources for accessing psychiatric medications http://www.nami.org/helpline/freemed.htm
• The People’s Prescription Plan offers discounts on prescription drugs, eye wear, hearing aids, and other services: http://www.peoplesrxcard.com
• The Family Village, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin, helps people with cognitive and other disabilities, their families, and those that care for them access services and support: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu
• Bridges to Access – GlaxoSmithKline’s patient assistance program for non-oncology medicines, provides GSK prescription medicines to eligible low-income patients without prescription drug benefits. http://www.bridgestoaccess.com

Drug Assistance Software for Clinics and Doctor’s Offices

A group of volunteers have developed a software package which includes eligibility guidelines, applications, etc. for all pharmaceutical companies currently operating medication assistance programs. The software stores completed applications so the prescriber can simply cut and paste to change the date every three months when medications need to be renewed. Free to non-profits. Call 877-844-8442 for more information.

http://www.oregonhelps.org (for people of all ages)

http://www.benefitscheckup.org (for those 55 and older)

Programs Just For Seniors

The following programs are just for Medicare-eligible seniors and seniors with disabilities:

• Oregon Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program: 1-800-527-5772, or http://www.dhs.state.or.us/healthplan click on Senior Prescription Drug Program
• The Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefit Assistance program (SHIBA), is a statewide network of volunteers who educate, assist and advocate for people with Medicare; call 503 640-3489 and ask for the SHIBA representative, or http://www.oregonshiba.org
• AARP Member Prescription Choice Program: 1 800-523-5800, or http://www.aarppharmacy.com
• Together RX: (8 different drug companies): 1-800-865-7211, or http://www.together-rx.com

Comparison Shopping Works!

Don’t forget good old-fashioned comparison shopping, especially for generic medicines. Medicines do not have a set price; drug companies have different agreements with different pharmacies, which can work to your advantage. A recent secret shopping expedition by a local TV station discovered huge differences when it comparison shopped for twelve common prescription medications at eight metro area drug stores. One medication they found being sold for $56 at a chain drug store was only $9 at a neighborhood pharmacy. These kinds of price differences are not uncommon. Be sure to shop around for the best price.

$4 Generic Drug Programs

Target, Walmart, QFC and Fred Meyer have a $4 program where most generic prescriptions can be purchased for just $4.00 for a 30 day supply. There is a list of drugs offered in this program on each website, and links to the websites are given below. You can also call your local Target, Fred Meyer, QFC or Walmart to ask if your prescription (in its generic form) is offered for $4.

Target

Website: http://sites.target.com

Walmart

Website: http://www.walmart.com

Fred Meyer

Website: http://www.fredmeyer.com/generic/

QFC

Website: http://www.qfc.com/generic

Certification of Non-Coverage for Prescription Drugs

Nearly all of the prescription drug companies require proof that the individual does not have prescription drug coverage through a medical insurance plan. The Client Advisory Services Unit (CASU) of the Oregon Office of Medical Assistance Programs can help provide this certification to current or former OHP members who do not have drug benefits. The unit will mail a certification only to the client or authorized representative listed on the case at the address shown on the case. The client can then attach this certification to an application for free or low-cost drugs. (CASU will not provide a client’s benefit information directly to drug companies).

CASU will accept requests by FAX (503) 945-6898, by phone 1-800-273-0557, or by mail: Office of Medical Assistance Programs

Attention: CASU
500 Summer Street E-35
Salem, OR 97301-1077

Rx Outreach

http://www.rxoutreach.com
Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc.
Available to everyone with an income at or below 250% FPL. Enrollees do not have to be US citizens. Patients may order either 3 or 6 month supplies of drugs Only generic drugs are available. There is a formulary, but it is fairly broad and covers drugs for arthritis, asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, depression, acid reflux, hormones and tamoxifen.

The cost is $30 for a 6 month supply (180 days) or $18 for a 3 month supply (90 days). This is essentially a filling fee. All drugs for this program are donated by the generic drug manufacturers.

Drug Research: Sometimes Cheaper is Better

http://www.aarp.org/or
Spiraling prescription drug costs are driving up health care costs. To address this problem, Oregon contracted with a team of top notch researchers to review research on different commonly used drugs. They looked at effectiveness, side effects, price, etc., and found that in many cases older, generic medicines that are more affordable are more effective than some of the new, expensive medicines. You can access this research at http://www.aarp.org/or