Patient Assistance Program

Patient assistance programs are offered by drug manufacturers to provide certain medications at a discount or for free to people who cannot afford them. All major drug companies have patient assistance programs.

How do I know if I am eligible?

Eligibility requirements are set by individual drug companies. Patient assistance programs help people of all ages, including children and some programs provide help for people receiving Medicare.

In most cases, you can receive help from a patient assistance program if:

  • you do not have prescription drug insurance that covers the medicines you need
  • you are a U.S. resident or citizen
  • you meet the income limits set by the drug company for the medicine you need

What support will I get?

If you qualify for a patient assistance program, it may provide:

  • Prescription medicine free of charge or at low cost.
  • Medicine sent to your home, your doctor's office, or your pharmacy, depending on the program.
  • You can usually get refills for up to a year before reapplying.

How do I apply?

To apply for a patient assistance program you will need to send an application to the company that makes the prescription drug that you need. If you need several drugs made by different manufacturers, you must apply to each drug company separately. Most applications have a section for you to fill out and a section for your doctor to fill out. You must also include proof of income. Most programs require you to reapply each year.

How can I get more help?

Several nonprofit organizations can help you find and apply for patient assistance programs. On these websites, you can:

  • Check if the prescription drugs you need are available from patient assistance programs
  • Identify the drug manufacturers
  • Review your eligibility

Nonprofit organizations who provide general help, understanding, and access to patient assistance programs:

NeedyMeds.org

NeedyMeds.org is a private nonprofit web site that lets you search for patient assistance programs by drug name. For each drug on the list, NeedyMeds.org gives the program name, phone number, application link, eligibility guidelines, application requirements, and program details.

For information go to: https://www.needymeds.org

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is a joint effort of American drug companies, medical organizations, and government agencies to inform patients about patient assistance programs. The PPA offers a toll-free helpline as well as an online application wizard and program information.

The toll-free helpline is 1-888-477-2669 or look up www.pparx.org.

PatientAssistance.com

This is a free resource designed to help connect patients who cannot afford their prescription medications with patient assistance programs.

For information go to: https://patientassistance.com.

RxAssist

This is a website with information, news, and a database that are all designed to help you find out about ways to get affordable or free medications. The database includes information on pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs or programs that provide free medication to low-income patients. RxAssist was created by Volunteers in Health Care, a national, nonprofit resource center for health care programs working with the uninsured.

Email: @email

Listing of Patient Assistance Programs

Abbott Patient Assistance
www.Depakote.com or www.abbviepaf.org
(800) 222-6885
Medications covered: Depakote and Depakote ER

Cephalon Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program
www.cephaloncares.com
(877) 237-4881
Medication covered: Gabitril

Eisai Primary Care Assistance Program
www.eisaireimbursement.com
(866) 694-2550 or (855)-347-2448
Medication covered: Banzel

GlaxoSmithKline Bridges to Access
www.BridgesToAccess.com
(866) 728-4368
Medications covered: Lamictal, Lamictal XR and Potiga

Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation
www.jjpaf.org or www.access2wellness.com
(800) 652-6227
Medication covered: Topamax

Lundbeck Onfi Support Center
www.ONFI.com
(855) 345-6634
Medication covered: Onfi

Lundbeck’s SHARE Call Center
www.lundbeckshare.com
(888) 457-4273
Medication covered: Sabril

Meda Patient Assistance Program
www.felbatol.com
(800) 593-7923
Medication covered: Felbatol

Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation
www.rxassist.org
1-(800) 277-2254
Medications covered: Tegretol, Tegretol XR and Trileptal

Pfizer, Inc.
www.dilantin.com or www.pfizer.com
(800) 972-9226
Medication covered: $4 co-pay card Dilantin-extended phenytoin sodium caps

Pfizer Helpful Answers
www.pfizerpathways.com
(866) 706-2400
Medications covered: Celontin, Dilantin, Lyrica, Neurontin, Zarontin

Questcor Pharmaceuticals Acthar Support & Access Program (ASAP)
www.questcor.com
1-(888) 435-2284
Medication covered: Acthar Gel (ACTH)

Recordati Rare Diseases
www.recordatirarediseases.com
(866) 209-7604
Medication covered: Peganone

RxHope
www.rxhope.com
Shire Cares Patient Assistance/Support
www.rxassist.org
(888) 227-3755
Medication covered: Carbatrol

SK Life Science Navigator Program
https://www.sklsinavigator.com/
866-SKNAVIG or 866-756-2844
Medication Covered: XCOPRI®

UCB Patient Assistance Program
www.rxassist.org
(866) 395-8366
Medications covered: Vimpat

Valeant Patient Assistance Program
www.rxassist.org
(800) 511-2120 or (866) 268-7325
Medications covered: Diastat AccuDial, Mysoline

Vagal Nerve Stimulation - VNS Therapy Access
www.cyberonics.com
(877) 610-1180

Please check your state’s 2-1-1 info line for state-specific drug assistance programs that you may qualify for.

Social Security Disability Benefits for Epilepsy

If you have epilepsy and are unable to work because of your seizures, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA offers monthly benefits to provide financial assistance to adults and children who are unable to work because of medical problems. Click here for more information. 

Service Dogs

Whether it’s by acting as a service animal in a public space or acting as a “Seizure Response Dog” for those who experience seizures, service dogs can be trained to support individuals living with epilepsy in a variety of ways.

Dogs that assist people living with epilepsy are being trained under programs named Seizure Response Dogs, Seizure Assistance Dogs and Seizure Alert Dogs. The following organizations train the dogs under their own guidelines and have differing criteria for eligibility for a service animal. Epilepsy Foundation New England does not endorse any of these organizations or their services.

 

  1. California
  2. Doggie Do Good
  3. Address: 335 Summet Station Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
  4. Phone: 805-473-1701
  5. Email: @email
  6. Website: www.doggiedogood.com
  7. Contact: Destiny
  8. Types of dogs trained: Serves children and adults with epilepsy provides seizure response training
  9. Areas served nationwide
  10.  
  11. Colorado
  12. Mountain High Dog Training
  13. Address: Headquarters 325 Second Street, Suite E, Monument, Co 80132
  14. Mailing Address: P.O.. Box 0721, Palmer Lake, CO 80133
  15. phone: 719-440-8282
  16. Email: @email
  17. Website: www.mtnhighservicedogs.com
  18. Contact: Candy Muscari-Erdos
  19. Types of dogs trained: Serves children and adults with epilepsy
  20. Areas served nationwide, Canada, Europe
  21.  
  22. Florida
  23. Elite K9 Academy
  24. Address: 18291 126th STerrace, North, Jupiter, FL 33478
  25. Phone: 561-266-5966
  26. Email: @email
  27. Website: www.Elitek9academy.com
  28. Contact: Jeanneane or Nick Kutsukos
  29. Types of dogs trained: service dogs for persons with seizure/epilepsy
  30. Areas served: FL, other areas considered.
  31.  
  32. Love Dog Inc.
  33. Palm City, Fla
  34. Phone: 772-475-1630
  35. Email: @email
  36. Do not have a website listed
  37. Contact: Brandy or Rick Baily
  38. Types of dogs trained: Trains seizure response dogs, does Not train seizure alert dogs
  39. Areas served nationwide
  40.  
  41.  
  42. Georgia
  43. Canine Assistants
  44. Address: 3160 Francis Road, Milton, GA 30004
  45. Phone: (770) 664-7178
  46. Email: @email
  47. Website: www.canineassistants.org
  48. Contact: Shannon Arnold
  49. Types of dogs Trained seizure response dogs for adults and children with seizures
  50. Areas served nationwide
  51.  
  52. Animals Deserve Better, Inc., Paws for Life
  53. Address: Marietta GA 30062
  54. Phone: 770-402-0297
  55. Email: @email
  56. Website: www.animalsdeservebetter.org
  57. Contact: Kimberly Brenowitz
  58. Types of dogs trained: trains dogs for persons with Seizures/epilepsy
  59. Areas served nationwide
  60.  
  61. Illinois
  62. Service dog training/Committed Canine, Inc.
  63. Address: 1399 East 1900 Avenue, Browntown, IL 62418
  64. RR1 Box 114, Browntown, IL 62418
  65. Phone: 618-427-3333
  66. Email: @email
  67. Website: www.committedcanine.org
  68. Contact: Tammie Rogers
  69. Prefers receiving email communication
  70. Types of dogs trained: seizure response, and Professionally Guided-Owner Trained Program
  71. Areas served: Nationwide, must be willing to travel to Illinois.
  72.  
  73. Kentucky
  74. Pawsibilitiesunleashed
  75. Address: Training Center 363 Versailles Road, Suite E, Frankfort, KY 40601
  76. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5316, Frankfort, KY 40602
  77. Phone: 866-411-7297
  78. Email: @email
  79. Website: www.pawsibilitiesunleashed.org
  80. Contact: Liz Norris
  81. Types of dogs trained seizure alert and seizure response dogs for children and adults
  82. Areas Served nationwide
  83.  
  84.  
  85. Massachusetts
  86. Golden Opportunities For Independence
  87. Address: 323 High Street, Walpole, MA 02081
  88. Phone: 508-505-5282 844-gofidog
  89. Email: @email
  90. Website: www.gofidog.org
  91. Contact: Rachel Jackson
  92. Types of dogs trained service dogs for persons and children with epilepsy, offers mentors
  93. Areas served 25 mile radius from Walpole MA location
  94.  
  95. Michigan
  96. Paws With A Cause
  97. Address: 4646 South Division, Wayland, MI 49348
  98. Phone: 616-877-7297
  99. Email: @email
  100. Website: www.pawswithacause.org
  101. Contact: Becky Canale
  102. Types of dogs trained seizure response dogs
  103. Areas served parts of MA, does not serve  other New England states
  104.  
  105. Minnesota
  106. Dog Services
  107. Address: 912 Mountain Ave. E, St. Paul, MN 55106
  108. Phone: 612-805-9136
  109. Email: @email
  110. Website: www.dogshelp.info/index.html
  111. Contact: Myra Fourwinds
  112. Types of dogs trained seizure alert and seizure response dogs
  113. Offers Online training for novice trainers
  114. Areas served nationwide
  115.  
  116. Nebraska
  117. Domes-Pups
  118. Address: P.O. Box 21725, Lincoln, NE 68502
  119. Phone: 402-465-4201 866-515-7877
  120. Website: www.domesti-pups.org
  121. Contact: Michelle O’Dea
  122. Types of dogs trained seizure dogs
  123. Areas served nationwide
  124.  
  125. New Hampshire
  126. White Mountain College for Pets
  127. Address: 594 Tenney Mountain Highway, Plymouth, NH 03264
  128. Phone: 603-369-4738
  129. email: collegeforpets@gmail.com
  130. Website: www.collegeforpets.com
  131. Contact: Mike Robertson
  132. Types of dogs trained seizure response training, not detection of seizures, serves children and adults with epilepsy
  133. Areas served: NH, VT, ME, MA, nationwide if willing to come to NH
  134.  
  135.  
  136. New Mexico
  137. Assistance Dogs of the West
  138. Address: 440 Galisto Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
  139. P.O. Box 31027, Santa Fe, NM 87594
  140. Phone: (505) 986-9748
  141. Website: www.assistancedogofthewest.orgContact:
  142. Contact: Jill Felice
  143. Types of dogs trained dogs for children and adults with epilepsy
  144. Areas served will consider out of state clients on a case by case bases, recommends finding a training program closer to the state persons reside in
  145.  
  146. North Dakota
  147. Service Dogs Of America (Great Plains Assistance Dogs Foundation Inc)
  148. Address: 920 Short Street, PO Box 513, Jud, ND 58454
  149. Phone: (701) 685-2242
  150. email: gpadf@daktel.com
  151. Website: www.www.servicedogsforamerica.org
  152. Contact:  Jinny BrodkorbJeremiah or Mike
  153. Types of dogs trained: Seizure Alert/Response
  154. Areas served: Continental US and Canada
  155.  
  156. Ohio
  157. 4 Paws For Ability, Inc.
  158. Address: 253 Dayton Avenue, Xenia, OH 45385
  159. Training Center: 207 Dayton Avenue, Xenia, OH 45385
  160. Phone: 937-374-0385
  161. Email: @email
  162. Website: www.4pawsforability.org/seizure assistance-dog
  163. Contact: Jennifer Lutes, Associate Director
  164. Types of dogs trained seizure alert and seizure responds service dog training for children with epilepsy not for independent adults
  165. Areas served nationwide
  166.  
  167. Pennsylvania
  168. Canine Partners for Life
  169. Address: 334 Faggs Manor Road, Cochranville, PA 19330
  170. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330
  171. Phone: (610) 869-4902
  172.  email: @email
  173. Website: www.k94life.org
  174. Contact: Gary Aurigemma, Program Director
  175. Types of dogs trained Seizure Alert
  176. Areas served: 250 mile radius of SE PA, will consider Nationwide if someone is willing to come to PA
  177.  
  178. Amazing Tails, LLC
  179. Address: 651 Scroggy Road, Oxford, PA 19363-1144
  180. Phone: (717) 529-6875
  181. email: jbussard@frontier.com
  182. Website: www.amazingtails.org
  183. Contact: Joan Bussard
  184. Types of dogs trained: Seizure Alert, serve children and adults with epilepsy
  185. Areas served nationwide

Resources for Service Dog Financial Assistance

Julie Hutchinson, Service Dog Grant Applications: @email

Josh Provides, Epilepsy Assistance Foundation: https://joshprovides.org