DESCRIPTION: Program that helps people understand and successfully complete forms, paperwork or documents that are required to receive benefits or services MORE INFORMATION Pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs that make their medications available at no charge or reduced cost to people in need. Each company has its own criteria, application forms and eligibility guidelines. Working with information supplied by you, they assess the situation to see if you qualify under the patient assistance program operated by the company that manufactures your prescribed medicine. If you do qualify, they work with you and your doctor to enroll you in the patient assistance program operated by that company. Once your claim, together with its appropriate supporting documentation, is approved by the pharmaceutical company, they will send your medicine either directly to your doctor or they will issue you a card that will allow you to get your prescription filled by your pharmacist.