• The rising cost of prescription drugs continues to be a health care concern.Prescription medicine image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  According to a report from the California Healthcare Foundation, California has the largest number of Medicare beneficiaries of any state. As the number continues to rise, the cost of health care continues to rise as well. California seniors with limited income depend on government assistance and private companies to cover the costs of their prescription drugs.
  
  

Low-Income Subsidy

• The Low-Income Subsidy Program, also known as Extra Help, offers full subsidy or partial subsidy depending on the Medicare beneficiary's income and assets. If the patient is on Medi-cal, the California's public health insurance for low-income families and individuals, he is automatically enrolled in the program.
  
  Social Security Administration
  
  8581 Fulsom Blvd., Ste. B
  
  Sacramento, CA 95826
  
  800-772-1213
  
  ssa.gov
  
  

Patient Assistance

• The Patient Assistance Program offers help directly from the pharmaceutical companies. To qualify, applicants must have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, no prescription coverage from public or private source, and be a United States citizen or a legal resident. The patients need to contact the manufacturer of the drugs they are taking. The California Health Advocates website posted the contact numbers of the pharmaceutical companies who are participating in the program. The Medicare website also provides the lists of all the qualifying drugs.
  
  California Health Advocates
  
  5380 Elvas Ave.
  
  Ste. 214
  
  Sacramento, CA 95819
  
  916-231-5110
  
  cahealthadvocates.org
  
  

Prescription Assistance

• The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a combined effort of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy groups and health care providers to help patients with no prescription drugs coverage. Qualifying patients can get free or low-cost medicine through this program. It offers access to more than 475 public and private programs. Doctors, caregivers, pharmaceutical employees or community groups can apply on behalf of the patients.
  
  Partnership for Prescription Assistance
  
  888-477-2669
  
  pparx.org