Take it for Grant(ed): How Grants Can Help You Pay for Your Prescriptions

Take it for Grant(ed): How Grants Can Help You Pay for Your Prescriptions

by Simplefill Chronic Disease Series Prescription Assistance

According to the National Council on Aging, nearly 80% of Americans over the age of 65 have at least one chronic disease and more than 2/3 of all health care costs go toward treating these conditions. If you suffer from an ongoing ailment yourself, you already know how expensive it can be for continued treatment. Many people in these circumstances spend hundreds—if not thousands of dollars on specialty drugs each month. But if you can’t afford your medications for your illness, Simplefill’s grant services may be able to help.

What are Disease-Specific Grants?

Disease-specific grants are designed to  help insured patients with chronic diseases pay their co-pay on specialty drugs. Because the price tag on these specialty drugs can be so high, and because chronic diseases require indefinite treatment, many people find it hard to afford their prescriptions, even with insurance. These disease-specific grants can be used toward the co-pay, usually 20% of the total costs, while the patient’s insurance continues to pay for the remaining prescription costs. To be approved for grant funding, the patient must have insurance, but the income guidelines are higher than most assistance programs. Most grants also require that the patients co-pay is at least $50/month for eligibility.

Which Chronic Diseases Do Grants Cover?

Grants are “disease specific,” which means they cover several brand name and generic medications that are prescribed for a specific disease. There are several different foundations that offer grant funding. Simplefill works with all available foundations. The most common chronic diseases that we help Simplefill patients with through grant funding include but are not limited to Parkinson’s, Asthma/COPD, HIV/ AIDS, Prostate Cancer, Multiple Scleroses, Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis, Crohn and Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Colon / Colorectal Cancer, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Multiple Myeloma, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and plenty of others.

How Can Simplefill Help?

At Simplefill, we learn about your unique situation and tailor our extensive knowledge of prescription assistance programs to find you help paying for prescription drugs. You may be eligible for a grant if you have prescription insurance but still pay more than $100 a month for your medication. Here’s how it works. Once we learn about your unique circumstances, we apply for grants that will award a minimum of $1,600.00 towards a prescribed medication and a maximum of one year’s coverage for the requested medication. We collect a small fee for our services. Apply now to find out if you’re eligible for a grant.

Don’t have insurance? Just because you aren’t eligible for a grant doesn’t mean we won’t be able to help you afford your prescriptions. Our prescription assistance program may be able to help. Call us today at 1.877.386.0206 and we’ll discuss your options.

Medication Management Tips for Seniors

Medication Management Tips for Seniors

by Simplefill Help My Meds Medication Assistance

Whether you’re a senior trying to keep track of a long list of prescriptions or a caregiver trying to help, these medication management tips can help you save time, eliminate confusion, and stay on top of prescribed (and over-the-counter) medications.

Keep a Detailed List

While your doctor should be aware of all the medications you’ve been prescribed, it’s best to keep your own detailed list of which medications you’re currently taking, including prescriptions, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements. Not only can this prevent you from taking medications with bad interactions, but it also allows you and your doctor to see a more comprehensive view of your treatment. When making your list, include information about what the medication is for and any side effects you notice, including if and when they go away.

Try a Pill Organizer

It may seem obvious but using a pill organizer can be a great way to ensure that you aren’t missing any doses of your medications. Not only can you separate pills by day of the week, but some pill organizers have separate compartments for morning and evening medications, making it even easier to track which pills you’re supposed to take when. One added benefit of pill organization is that if you fill your organizer at the beginning of the week, this can alert you to any medications that need to be refilled, giving you plenty of time to contact your doctor or pharmacy.

Set Reminders

We can all use reminders, and setting a smartphone, watch, or alarm clock with daily alarms is a great way to make sure you don’t miss any doses of your medications. If you don’t like setting reminders, try tying the action of taking a pill to something that’s part of your daily routine. You might, for example, take your morning medications while you wait for your coffee to brew or take your nighttime meds right after you brush your teeth.

Pay Attention to Instructions

Different medications have different instructions that can be very important for the effectiveness of the medication and for preventing side effects. Some prescriptions should be taken food with food or water, and certain medications can be negatively affected by the active ingredients in other medications. Depending on which medications you take, you might not realize that many doses have storage recommendations. Insulin, for example, requires refrigeration, and many medications do best in dry, cool rooms, which means you may want to avoid storing them in steamy bathrooms.

Avoid Pharmacy Hopping

While many people think of pharmacists as someone who hands them a pill bottle, they have a wealth of knowledge and information which can be incredibly helpful in maintaining your health. If you get most or all your medications at the same pharmacy, the pharmacist gets to know you better and has a more comprehensive view of your overall health. Plus, having your prescriptions at the same pharmacy can help prevent confusion and help ensure that you’re always getting everything you need.

While these medication management tips can help keep you healthy and organized, if you can’t afford your medication, all the organization in the world won’t help. That’s where Simplefill prescription assistance comes in. Whether you’re trying to figure out how to pay for your prescriptions without insurance or you can no longer afford the rising costs of your generic prescriptions, start an application today to find out if Simplefill can help. In the meantime, check out our blog where we cover everything from tips for family caregivers to what you need to know about the 2019 changes to Medicare Part D coverage.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by Simplefill blog Cancer Assistance Chronic Disease Series Medication Assistance Uncategorized

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although Breast Cancer can be found in men as well, it is the most common cancer in Women. About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Breast cancer is a disease I am familiar with. I have had 6 people in my life diagnosed with breast cancer at all stages and are all survivors and cancer free today! However, although they won that battle, watching what they had to endure was terrible.

Simplefill is made up of almost all woman and we feel passionate about doing our part in spreading the awareness of this disease.

Let’s first start with the facts.

• In the US, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

• The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female and aging. About 95% of all breast cancers in the US occur in women 40 and older.

• Getting a mammogram can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer by 30 to 40% among women ages 40 to 70.

• Breast cancer deaths have been declining since 1990 thanks to early detection, better screening, increased awareness, and new treatment options. Contact Simplefill if you have been prescribed a medication you cannot afford.

• Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.

• In the US today, there are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors — the largest group of all cancer survivors.

• One woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the US.

• Every 19 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer.

• A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Take a minute to read through these protective steps you can take that can help keep your risk as low as possible.

• Limit alcohol. The more you drink, the higher the risk. The general recommendation is 1 drink per day.

• Don’t smoke. C’mon people, you know this! Don’t smoke. If you are having a hard time beating this habit. Contact us about getting help with Chantix – a medication proven to help patients kick the habit. APPLY HERE

• Control your weight. Again, you know this! Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer and can cause many other negative health factors.

• Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.

• Breast-feed. If you can do this, then I would recommend it. However this is a touchy subject since there is a lot of unnecessary pressure put on moms and if this is not an option, don’t stress yourself out. Like you don’t have enough on your plate already!

• Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy for over three years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you’re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you.

• Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. Some research indicates a link between breast cancer and radiation exposure. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary.

• Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor. Also, ask your doctor when to begin mammograms and other screenings based on your personal history.

Simplefill is a full-service prescription assistance company that is dedicated to making prescribed medications affordable for our members. We have been able to help many of our patients afford their treatments.
The following is a list of medications that we can help with. If you need help with a medication that is not listed on here, Contact Us to find out if we can still help.

Drugs Approved to Prevent Breast Cancer

• Evista (Raloxifene Hydrochloride)
• Keoxifene (Raloxifene Hydrochloride)
• Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate)

Drugs Approved to Treat Breast Cancer

• Abitrexate (Methorexate)
• Abraxane
• Afinitor
• Arimidex (Anastrozole)
• Aromosin
• Cabectabine
• Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)
• Faslodex
• Femara (Letrozole)
• Gemzar (Gemcitabine Hydrochloride)
• Herceptin (Trastuzumab)
• Ibrance (Palbociclib)
• Megestrol Acetate
• Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate)
• Taxotere (Docetaxel)
• Tykerb (Lapatinib Ditosylate)
• Xeloda (Capecitabine)
• Zoladex (Gosereline Acetate)

Call Simplefill today to learn how we can help. 1-877-386-0206 Ext. 1

The Medicare Donut Hole Explained

The Medicare Donut Hole Explained

by Simplefill Medication Assistance

What is the Donut Hole?

The coverage gap, commonly called the “Donut Hole” is a temporary limit on what your Medicare Prescription drug plan will pay for your prescription drug costs.

While you are in the “Donut Hole”, you will pay higher costs of for your brand-name drugs. Often times these increased costs make your medications unaffordable.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, call Simplefill Prescription Assistance programs to enroll in their program during this period. 1-877-386-0206

The experts at Simplefill make understanding your Medicare Part D plan…well Simple!

There are 4 stages to your part D plan. Let’s break it down for you.

Stage 1: Deductible Phase
In this stage, you must pay a certain amount out of pocket before your prescription drug plan will kick in. This amount varies by plan.

Stage 2: Initial Coverage Phase
After you hit your deductible, you will start paying the plan’s cost share for covered medications. Once you and your prescription plan have spent $3,310.00 in 2016 for covered drugs; you’ve reached the “Donut Hole”.

Stage 3: The Donut Hole, Coverage Gap Phase
This is the stage where you start getting that sticker shock. Unless you want to wait until January 1st when your plan resets, you will now be paying 50% of the retail price of your medications. This can be very expensive and not an option for most patients, especially ones who are on fixed incomes.
This is why we urge you to contact us at 1-877-386-0206 or apply for assistance online.

Stage 4: Catastrophic Phase
You get a bit of a break in this stage since you have spent so much out of pocket for the year. During the catastrophic stage, you pay whichever amount is greater –either 5% of the covered drug cost or $2.65 for generics and $6.60 for brand name drugs.

What if I am not in the coverage gap but I still cannot afford my medications or my medication is not covered at all?
It never hurts to pick up the phone and ask. Often times we can help patients when their medication is not covered or if they have a copay is unaffordable. We always advise our patients to call us and we can find them the best way to save money on their medications. Think of the team at Simplefill as your Medication Savings Advisors!

My Brother, Fabrice.

My Brother, Fabrice.

by Simplefill Uncategorized

A letter from Simplefill’s co-founder, Brigitte Steibel.

On July 30, 1998, my brother Fabrice died from the AIDS virus. He was a fashion designer and artist.
At the age of 25 Fabrice had already started his own design company. Worldwide recognition came in the 1980’s when he was named Essence magazine’s Black Designer of the year, honored with the Coty Award as well as the CFDA. In 1985 the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre awarded his achievement for creating provocative, seductive and dazzling evening gowns. Fabrice’s creations were featured in fashion magazines, books, record and CD covers, TV shows and movies. The media declared his designs as wearable art!

When Fabrice died The New York Time wrote half a page Obituary honoring his accomplishments.

I was my brother’s caretaker. I would watch my brother take up to 35 pills a day. It was called a cocktail and it did a poor job controlling the progression of the HIV virus. Today the HIV virus can be treated by taking 1 pill a day.

Due to medical research and a much better understanding of the syndrome, many patients who are inflicted with the HIV virus can live a very long and happy life. The FDA recently approved Prezcobix and Genvoya. Both of these are combination drugs that have seen positive results in the treatment of HIV infection. There is still no cure for AIDS, but strict adherence to anti-retroviral regimens (ARVs) can significantly slow the disease’s progress and prevent secondary infections and complications.

This is all fantastic news but there is still a high price to the available medications. Many patients find it unaffordable.

I am dedicated to making sure I do whatever I can to help patients find ways to afford their treatment. Whether that be patient assistance programs or funding through available foundations. It is too late for my brother, Fabrice, to benefit from the new approved drugs, but it’s not too late for you.

Give Simplefill a call if you are having difficulty affording your co-pays. We truly understand what you have been through.

1-877-386-0206

Chronic Disease Series: ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

Chronic Disease Series: ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

by Simplefill blog Medication Assistance

ALS was thrown into the spotlight last year with the massive popularity of the Ice Bucket Challenge. This viral trend was meant to raise awareness, but you might be left wondering just how the disease affects those who suffer from it. Whether you’re currently living with ALS or just looking to learn more about the disease, in this blog, Simplefill outlines some of its basic facts and ways to go about managing symptoms.

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Simplefill: Why We Decided to Help Provide Medication Assistance

Simplefill: Why We Decided to Help Provide Medication Assistance

by Simplefill Help My Meds Medication Assistance Prescription Assistance

Many Americans are facing an impossible choice: Should they go into debt to get the medications they need, or should they risk their lives to spare their wallet? At Simplefill, we don’t believe anyone should have to struggle with this dilemma. Americans are feeling crippled by the escalating price of medications and they don’t know where to turn. Simplefill offers a solution with our response to increasing medical costs.

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Important Fall 2014 Healthcare Open Enrollment Tips and Deadlines

Important Fall 2014 Healthcare Open Enrollment Tips and Deadlines

by Simplefill blog Prescription Assistance

The Open Enrollment period for healthcare under the Affordable Care Act is coming up soon, and we want our Simplefill community to be prepared for this important time of year. Grab a pen and get ready to mark your calendars with the information you need about coverage from a Qualified Health Plan.

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Chronic Disease Series: Diabetes

Chronic Disease Series: Diabetes

by Simplefill blog Diabetes / Insulin Assistance Medication Assistance Prescription Assistance Prescription Assistance Program

If you have diabetes, you aren’t alone. According to the National Diabetes Education Program, 25.8 million Americans – that’s 8.3% of the country’s population – are diabetic. There is no cure for diabetes, nor does the disease go away. Therefore, it is vital to receive treatment to keep you healthy so you can enjoy a high quality of life. Simplefill has provided you with the most common forms of diabetes and the treatments available.

Type 1 Diabetes

Background: This form of diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the cells in the body that create insulin. Type 1 diabetes typically manifests itself in children or young adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, juvenile diabetes symptoms include extreme thirst and hunger, fatigue, weight loss, and frequent urination.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment: Insulin treatment is the most important form of diabetes medication and is essential to the health of the individual. Typically delivered through injection, the variety of insulin types used vary depending upon the individual needs of the patient.

Type 2 Diabetes

Background: When you have Type 2 diabetes, your body does not process insulin correctly, a phenomena called ‘insulin resistance.’ This form is typical in adults, although cases in youths have increased as a result of childhood obesity. Symptoms include thirst and hunger, blurred vision, frequent infection, darkened skin spots, and weight loss.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: While some diabetes patients can regulate the disease with healthy eating and regular exercise, many rely on prescription medication. The diabetes medication list includes drugs like metformin and glucose-lowering treatments like glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride, as well as insulin therapy.

If you have diabetes and are under- or un-insured, you can still get the treatment you need to live a healthy life. SimpleFill is committed to providing diabetes supplies for uninsured Americans; apply today to get affordable access to the prescription medication and treatment you deserve.