There are also non-profit copay programs for those who do not qualify for manufacturer-sponsored programs.
Program Eligibility
Eligibility for low-cost or free asthma medication is generally based on household income in relation to the annual Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Depending on the manufacturer or program, people can qualify if they make less than 400% to 500% of the FPL. The FPL set by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2022 is as follows:
Individual: $13,590Couple: $18,310Family of three: $23,030Family of four: $27,750Family of five: $32,470Family of six: $37,190Family of seven: $41,910Family of eight: $46,630
Proof of income in the form of your most recent tax return is generally required for PAP applications. By contrast, many CAPs only ask that you provide the amount you earned in the previous year.
Most PAPs also require that you have no other prescription drug coverage (although exceptions are often made for people with Medicare Part D who are unable to afford their drugs). Other restrictions may apply depending on the asthma drug assistance program.
Application and Approval
Your healthcare provider’s office can likely make you aware of PAP and CAP programs for the asthma drugs they regularly prescribe, such as those outlined below.
Some non-profit organizations also offer online tools to help patients find applications or determine if a drug is covered by a PAP or CAP. These include:
Patient Advocate Program, which also offers copay relief programs Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), formerly the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARx) HealthWell, which also offers drug assistance based on funding availability Needy Meds, which operates a toll-free helpline at 1-800-503-6897 RxAssist, created by Volunteers in Health Care (VHC)
If you need financial assistance for obtaining asthma drugs made by different manufacturers, you will need to fill out separate applications for each.
The approval or denial of a PAP application is usually communicated within several days of the required documents being received. Many CAP applications are approved on the same day, and administrators will issue you a temporary card by email.
Pulmicort (budesonide) Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) Fasenra (benralizumab)
AstraZeneca’s PAP service, called AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program, is available to legal residents of the United States.
To qualify:
Your household income must be less than 400% of the FPL. You must not be receiving prescription drug coverage under a private insurance or government program (excluding Medicare) or receiving any other assistance to help pay for your medicines. If you have Medicare, you can qualify if you spent at least 3% of your annual household income on prescription medicines.
The Fasenra Savings Program covers up to $13,000 of copay costs for Fasenra per calendar year. People enrolled in a state or federally funded prescription insurance program, including Medicare, are not eligible.
Genentech Patient Foundation is a PAP open to legal residents of the United States who either do not have health insurance or are unable to afford Xolair with health insurance (including Medicare).
To qualify:
Your household income must be less than $150,000 per year. For households larger than four people, add $25,000 for each extra person. You must have first tried other types of patient assistance programs, such as HealthWell or Patient Advocate Program, if you have insurance.
Advair (fluticasone propionate) Breo Elipta ((fluticasone/vilanterol) Flovent (fluticasone propionate) Serevent (salmeterol) Ventolin (albuterol sulfate)
The GSK Patient Assistance Program is available to legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico who have no prescription drug benefits through any insurer or payer program. Exception: You may apply if you are a Medicare Part D recipient.
The program covers 100% of the cost of a drug for eligible individuals.
To qualify, you must make less than the maximum gross monthly income listed on their website, which varies by location and household size. The amount is roughly based on incomes of less than 250% of the FPL.
If you are a Medicare Part D recipient, you must have spent at least $600 on any of the above-listed GSK drugs during the current calendar year.
Asmanex (mometasone) Dulera (mometasone/formoterol) Nasonex (mometasone) Proventil (salbutamol) Singulair (montelukast)
Merck Helps is the company’s PAP service that provides the medicines free of charge to eligible individuals, primarily those without health insurance. The program is open to legal residents of the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.
To qualify:
You must not have health insurance or other coverage for your prescription medicine, including Medicare. You have a household income of less than 400% of the FPL. If you have health insurance but still can’t afford the medications, you must demonstrate financial hardship.
The Dupixent MyWay Program is Sanofi’s PAP service available to legal residents of the United States. It offers the drug free of charge to uninsured or functionally uninsured people.
To qualify:
Your household income must be less than 400% of FPL. If you have health insurance but still can’t afford the medications, you must demonstrate financial hardship.
ProAir HFA (albuterol) QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate)
TEVA Cares Foundation offers these drugs at no cost to people who meet insurance and income criteria. The program is open to legal residents of the United States.
To qualify:
You must have no prescription drug coverage of any sort. Your household income is less than 400% of the FPL.
