Sources of Information
Information on Financial Assistance Programs for MS Disease-Modifying Therapies Offered by Pharmaceutical Companies
(As of August 2011)
Avonex
Program name: MS ActiveSource
Phone: (800) 456-2255
Website: www.avonex.com
MS ActiveSource will assist patients in the following ways:
(1) If the person has insurance (including Medicare), they will give co-pay assistance. The patient's co-pay will be $10 monthly, and this program is ongoing and will not end.
(2) If the person has no insurance, they will help through the Access Program. The drug will be free for two years. There is an undisclosed financial eligibility criterion. After a year and a half, the person will need to reapply. If he or she is not eligible at this time, then the individual will be referred to the National MS Society.
Betaseron
Program name: BetaPlus
Phone: (800) 788-1467
Website: www.betaseron.com
BetaPlus will assist patients in the following ways:
(1) For people with no insurance, or if they have Medicare, they can apply for the Patient Assistance Program. If they are approved, they can receive a three-month supply for a participation fee ranging from $30 to $150. There is an undisclosed financial eligibility criterion. This will continue for one year, at which time they can reapply. If they are not eligible at this time, they will be referred to a list of agencies for assistance.
(2) If they have insurance, they can receive co-pay assistance up to $9,500 yearly. Patients will have no co-pay expense until they reach the maximum assistance limit of $9,500 yearly.
Copaxone
Program name: Shared Solutions
Phone: (800) 887-8100
Website: www.copaxone.com
Shared Solutions will assist patients in the following ways:
(1) Individuals with no insurance are referred to Assist RX. The Shared Solutions case manager will conference-call with the patient and the Assist RX organization. The information about eligibility is not public. An individual's cost would be zero for one year. He or she will then need to reapply. If not eligible at this time, there is no further assistance.
(2) If a person is on Medicare, the Medicare Team, working with a specialty pharmacy (ACS) will pay through the coverage gap. This program is ongoing.
(3) For people with private insurance, the Co-Pay Solutions program will assist. Individuals pay $35 monthly. This program is ongoing.
Extavia
Patient Services Program
Phone: (866) 925-2333
Website: www.extavia.com
Extavia's Patient Services Program will assist patients in the following ways:
(1) For individuals with no insurance and who meet the financial criteria, they can receive free medication up to one year, at which time they may reapply. The financial criteria are not public.
(2) For individuals who have insurance with a high co-pay, they can receive assistance if they are financially eligible. This is also true if they have Medicare and need help with the coverage gap.
Both of these programs require that the patient reapply after one year. If the patient is no longer eligible at this time, referrals are made to other agencies such as NORD.
Gilenya
Patient Services Program
Phone: (877) 408-4974
Website: www.gilenya.com
Gilenya's Patient Services Program will conduct a benefits investigation and determine on an individual basis what assistance a person may be eligible to receive. They can provide a free starter packet while this is proceeding. The program will assist patients in the following ways:
(1) For individuals with no insurance, they can receive free medication if their income is less than five times the Federal Poverty Level, under the Patient Assistance Foundation. People with Medicare can also receive assistance in this program. The benefit continues for one year, at which time the patient may reapply. If there is an alternative program, the patient will be referred.
(2) For individuals with commercial insurance, they can receive help up to $800 monthly under the Medical Co-Pay Support Program. This program is based on the present calendar year. There is currently no information available on this program beyond December 31, 2011.
Please note that certain states are not covered under these programs. Individuals living in those states need to ask the Patient Services representative about other assistance.
Rebif
Program name: MS Lifelines
Phone: (887) 447-3243
Website: www.mslifelines.com
MS Lifelines will assist patients in the following ways:
(1) If a person has no insurance, he or she will be provided with free medication for up to one year, under the Access Made Simple program. At that time, the patient may reapply and is often still eligible.
(2) If a person has Medicare, he or she may apply for assistance once reaching the coverage gap. This assistance is also available for one year, and a person may reapply after that time.
Both (1) and (2) require financial eligibility, the terms of which are not disclosed. If the person is not eligible when reapplying, there is no further assistance available.
(3) If a person is insured but has a high co-pay, there is a program to assist. For the first three months, there will be no cost, and after that it is $50 monthly. This is ongoing, with no need to reapply.
Tysabri
Program name: MS Active Source
Phone: (800) 456-2255
Website: www.tysabri.com
MS Active Source will assist patients in the following ways (the guidelines are the same as for Avonex):
(1) If a person has insurance (including Medicare), he or she will receive co-pay assistance. The patient's co-pay will be $10 monthly, and this program is ongoing and does not end.
(2) If the person has no insurance, he or she will be helped though the Access Program. The drug will be free for two years. There is an undisclosed financial eligibility criterion. After a year and a half, the person will need to reapply.
MS Active Source does not pay for any costs charged by the infusion center.
Please note: The information in this listing has been gathered from each pharmaceutical company separately and may be subject to change. For program specifics, please contact the corresponding patient services program. MSAA does not endorse any specific brand, treatment, or program and is not responsible for any unintentional errors in program descriptions, changes to a specific program and its limitations, acceptance into a program, or any financial assistance. For additional information, please call MSAA's Helpline at (800) 532-7667.
