Patient Assistance

Supporting Patients in Paying for their Prescriptions

Pharmacists can be a valuable resource in helping patients manage the cost and access to their migraine medicines. Some migraine therapies especially those newer to the market may require approval or completion of a prior authorization for insurance to provide coverage for a medication. If a migraine treatment requires a prior authorization, consider reaching out or reviewing the patient’s individualized insurance coverage as all insurance plans will likely have different criteria and qualifications for medication coverage approval. Of note, these insurance qualifications may also change from year to year, consider reviewing criteria annually to ensure your patient continues to qualify for coverage.

Patient Cost Assistance Resources

The cost of migraine medications can vary widely depending on the specific medication and an individual's insurance coverage. Newer, brand-name therapies can sometimes cost upwards of $1,000 per month. There are various resources available to help lower the cost and improve access to these brand-name therapies. Available resources include Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) and manufacturer savings programs/cards.

Helpful Links

Patient Assistance Programs – For those with Medicare or No Insurance Coverage

PAPs are sponsored by pharmaceutical manufacturers to help individuals obtain access to their medications when they meet certain income requirements in addition to having no health insurance or Medicare prescription drug coverage. These programs often provide free medications to eligible patients.

Manufacturer Savings Cards– For those with Commerical Insurance

Manufacturer savings cards or copay cards, offer discounts on specific medications, often brand-name drugs for those with commercial insurance**. These savings cards are usually available to a wider range of individuals, though they often have limits on savings and time.

Note it is important to review the terms and conditions for each individual program or savings card as programs may have different eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria and program availability may also change from year to year.

**Usually patients enrolled in any state or federally funded healthcare program, including but not limited to, Medicare, Medigap, Medicaid, VA, DOD, TRICARE, are NOT eligible for the manufacturer savings cards.

Medical Device Cost Assistance Resources

There are also medical devices available for migraine treatment. If cost or access to these devices are prohibitive for patients, consider reviewing the website for an individual device to determine potential assistance options. Many devices are eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement.

Disclaimer: The creators of this website cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the included information. Always check with the individual patient assistance program or manufacturer savings card website if you have questions