FREE Prescription Assistance Program

[GoCubsGo]

In earlier threads Lone Star RX was discussed. They are a prescription assistance company that charges $30 a month and up to help seniors find free or low cost meds. Here is an outfit that does it for no cost. They also provide info on free health care clinics.

"The groups behind the PPA include the largest and most influential in health care. They include the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Cancer Society, American College of Emergency Physicians, Easter Seals, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, United Way and the Urban League."

Patients can get help through the web site or with a toll free number.

You should give the toll free number to any FE client or senior that takes medications. Really any low income person. Let them call and see if they qualify for free meds. A lady near me was paying close to $1,000 a month but with their help is paying only $70.

1-888-4PPA-NOW or 1-888-477-2669
Call Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (EST)

Web Site: https://www4.pparx.org/en

 

[TDFnCali]

In earlier threads Lone Star RX was discussed. They are a prescription assistance company that charges $30 a month and up to help seniors find free or low cost meds. Here is an outfit that does it for no cost. They also provide info on free health care clinics.

"The groups behind the PPA include the largest and most influential in health care. They include the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Cancer Society, American College of Emergency Physicians, Easter Seals, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, United Way and the Urban League."

Patients can get help through the web site or with a toll free number.

You should give the toll free number to any FE client or senior that takes medications. Really any low income person. Let them call and see if they qualify for free meds. A lady near me was paying close to $1,000 a month but with their help is paying only $70.

1-888-4PPA-NOW or 1-888-477-2669
Call Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (EST)

Web Site: https://www4.pparx.org/en

Cool... Just to be clear, does this service do it all for the the client, or just informs the client "how to apply"?

 

[jdeasy]

On the surface this certainly looks like a much better thing for the users than the other one that was bantered about here.

 

[tins]

On the surface this certainly looks like a much better thing for the users than the other one that was bantered about here.

Well, yeah. For a low income person, that $30 monthly fee plus $25 upfront fee, isn't an easy thing.
This sounds much better for them.

 

[slushpuppyking]

I'm not here to say anything negative about PPA because they are free....so no reason to speak badly of them. But keep in mind information about PAP(s) are free at any clinic or doctor's office. With it being out there everywhere and free why do articles like this still come out:

Money Over Meds: Gov't Finds Americans Skipping Their Prescriptions to Save Money

But speaking strictly in terms of helping people, no it doesn't hurt to send them to PPA. They will get MORE done for them through LSSC and as their agent you can monitor them in the process as well. People can buy insurance online but we agents have value do we not?

You can waive the $25 application fee and offer your client a complete money back guarantee if they aren't approved for a PAP.....so no risk.

In my opinion if you aren't really serious about being a patient advocate and simply want to mention PAP(s) to a potential client than maybe send them to PPA. But again you could send them to their local clinic and accomplish the same thing. Also keep in mind if their income level is too low and they qualify for Medicaid they should be getting help from that source, not a PAP.

Now if you want to give them the full service treatment, have decided to make prescription assistance a part of your marketing/prospecting, plan to monitor your client's progress personally, and want to earn a commission for your efforts than directing them to PPA....or telling them to call their local clinic isn't really for you.

Everyone can do as they choose but I really don't think it's a good idea to even mention Patient Assistance Programs to your client if you aren't interested in actually educating yourself on them and being involved. The reason being if you just send them over to PPA because you recommended it won't you feel a bit awkward if your client calls you upset because that PPA outfit was no help at all or they are in limbo with the process (which often happens with PAP(s) and their 90+ day time table)?

That could possibly effect your relationship with the client as you explain you are not affiliated with PPA (or another) and have no contact over there to help figure out exactly what is going on. Your client in turn might reply "Then why the hell did you recommend them?"

On the flipside I had a client enrolled and she was deemed ineligible for the program (Medicaid was the better option). I was able to contact her right away to let her know she would be receiving a refund and make sure she was in fact going to get that medication for very cheap. She was happy to receive my call and update on her status, and in the end she is still freeing up that $120 in RX costs so I can move on to the FE sale.

You might take this as me recruiting for LSSC but really I'm just saying be careful about telling seniors how much they can save on their prescription costs and recommending anybody you aren't affiliated with. The PAP(s) market is very competitive for a reason: free enrollment methods are complicated and there is value in having someone else handle it for you. I've had clients tell me they are fully aware of PAP(s) and they tried to get into a few but after 6 months they got nowhere.....

Assuming this isn't something you are marketing or using as a sales tool you still have to pause for a moment and ask yourself if you even want to bother. After you make your FE sale and on your way out the door would you say "Oh and btw Mrs. Smith call your clinic about these Patient Assistance Programs that are out there that can help you get those meds for cheap."?

If Mrs. Smith has a bad experience with that PAP enrollment that would be unfortunate....

 

[seeknulfind]

From what I've seen of the site mustfastpitch linked to here and another I found through Virginia's DOI site, these programs help consumers determine what programs they are eligible for and then send along the paperwork for the consumer to complete.

Unless I am mistaken, the Lone Star program does the above and then actually fills out the application(s) and submits the paperwork to the appropriate program(s). This extra service is how they justify their fee.

Whether the value is worth the expense is up to the individual. I see nothing wrong with making both the free and paid option available.

The next question I've seen raised is should an insurance agent bother with such stuff instead of selling insurance?

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not likely to come close to the sales records of some of the more venerable agents in this forum. One reason is I'm the type that tends to squander a lot of time on non-sales stuff like this. I don't have that razor-sharp focus to zero in on just selling product or moving on. (Maybe this is a misconception on my part but if so, I'm sure I'll be set straight.)

In any case there is a school of thought in this industry concerning "finding the money" as a method of overcoming the "I can't afford it" objection. Saving money on prescriptions seems to fit in with this concept.

My own biggest objection to the Lone Star program is their commission structure. While I'm more than happy to steer someone to a service that will save them money, and I appreciate that I might earn a tad bit for my effort, I'm not in the business of patient advocacy. Thus, the whole idea of reaching and maintaining a certain level of enrolled clientele to "earn" residual income goes against my grain. It would be better if they would simply pay a residual. It seems more honest and fair to me.

Andy

 

[Justin Bilyj]

You get what you paid for. Wanna fill out papers yourself for free, go for it.
You still save people money with a monthly fee which they do everything for you, go for it.

Now agents here have two options....

enough with this shi%.....

 

[Jerard]

You get what you paid for. Wanna fill out papers yourself for free, go for it.

My 2 cents worth from personal experience.

A week ago Sunday I went to the ER because I had been feeling like crap and it was getting worse. After doing a blood test I found out I'm now Type 1 (lucky me). Afterwards I started studying up on the different meds, etc. and decided I wanted to take Lantus since it's a one a day shot. I also learned this stuff is pretty expensive. Soooo..I went to the manufacture's website and learned they have a PAP program for this. I said to myself.."Heck, I can do this...". So I downloaded the form and after looking at it realized that, even with my vast knowledge, there were things on it I had no clue to some of the things that would need to be filled in. On a follow up visit to my Doc I took the form but didn't need it since we/she decided to keep me on Humalog 70/30 (verbal sigh of relief).

 

[GoCubsGo]

First you don't recommend either one. What if you "recommend" Lone Star and they later found out they can get the same thing for free somewhere else? Couldn't you get "Why the hell did you recommend the one that costs me money?"

You simple give them both numbers and tell them to check it out if you want, maybe you can get your meds for free.

If you want to get more involved and try to use any savings for more sales, have at it. A good sales strategy if you want to spend the time and effort. BUT at the minimum give them the numbers. Don't walk away from them doing nothing. Unless you are with LH and rape and run is all you know. haha

 

[slushpuppyking]

Letting a client know this is something they can do for free is something every LSSC agent should do. You would be shocked how many people will tell you a story similar to Jerard, that they have tried this the free way and it was nothing but a disappointment. You would look like a fool if you acted like LSSC was the only way a client to get enrolled in a PAP. They will call you out on that very quickly.