Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs): Get Free or Low-Cost Medications in 2026
Pharmaceutical manufacturers gave away over $13 billion in free medication through patient assistance programs in 2024. This guide covers the top 20 brand-name drugs, eligibility requirements, and exactly how to apply.
Last updated: April 2026 | Compare pharmacy prices free →
What Is a Patient Assistance Program and Who Qualifies?
Patient assistance programs are manufacturer-funded initiatives that provide free brand-name medications to patients who cannot afford them. Nearly every major pharmaceutical company operates a PAP. These programs exist because manufacturers face public pressure to improve drug access and receive tax benefits for charitable medication donations.
General eligibility requirements across most programs include:
- US residency — Must be a legal US resident (some accept lawful non-citizen residents)
- Income limit — Typically at or below 300–400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For a single individual in 2026, 400% FPL = approximately $58,320/year
- Insurance status — Uninsured, underinsured, or facing high out-of-pocket costs. Most exclude Medicare Part D enrollees (separate programs exist for Medicare)
- Valid prescription — Active prescription from a licensed US physician
- No other coverage — The drug is not covered or is unaffordable under existing insurance
💡 Pro tip: Even if you have insurance, you may qualify for a manufacturer copay card that reduces your out-of-pocket cost to $0–$35/month. Copay cards are separate from PAPs and have easier eligibility. Check the table below for both options.
How Do You Apply for a Patient Assistance Program?
Applying for a patient assistance program takes about 30 minutes of paperwork and 4–6 weeks for processing. Most programs ship medication directly to your doctor's office in 90-day supplies. Here is the step-by-step process that works for nearly every manufacturer PAP.
- Find your drug's PAP. Visit the manufacturer's website (listed in the table below), or search NeedyMeds.org or RxAssist.org for your specific medication.
- Check income limits. Most programs set thresholds at 300–400% FPL. Janssen (J&J) programs go up to 500% FPL — among the most generous in the industry.
- Gather documents. You will need: most recent federal tax return OR two recent pay stubs, proof of US residency (utility bill or government ID), and your current prescription.
- Complete the application. Available online or by mail from the manufacturer. Both you and your prescribing physician must sign.
- Submit through your doctor's office. Many physician offices have staff who handle PAP applications daily. Ask your doctor's office for help — they know the process.
- Receive medication. Once approved (4–6 weeks), medication ships in 90-day supplies to your doctor's office or a designated pharmacy. Renewals are annual.
Which Drugs Have Patient Assistance Programs? Top 20 Brand-Name Medications
The following table lists patient assistance programs for the 20 most prescribed and most expensive brand-name drugs in the United States. Each entry includes the manufacturer program name, income limit, copay card option for insured patients, and direct links to apply.
1. Ozempic / Wegovy (semaglutide)
Novo NordiskPAP: Novo Nordisk PAP
Income limit: 400% FPL (~$58,320 individual)
Copay card: Ozempic Savings Card — as low as $25/month for insured patients
Apply: novocare.com
Separate programs for Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight management). NovoCare assists with both.
2. Humira (adalimumab)
AbbViePAP: myAbbVie Assist
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: HUMIRA Complete Savings Card — as low as $5/month
Apply: abbvie.com/myabbvieassist
Biosimilars (Hadlima, Hyrimoz) now available at 55-85% lower cost. Check Script Unlock for biosimilar pricing.
3. Eliquis (apixaban)
Bristol-Myers Squibb / PfizerPAP: BMS Patient Assistance Foundation
Income limit: 300% FPL (~$43,740 individual)
Copay card: Eliquis Savings Card — pay as low as $10/month
Apply: bmspaf.org
Generic apixaban expected by 2028. Until then, the PAP or savings card are the best options for reducing costs.
4. Keytruda (pembrolizumab)
MerckPAP: Merck Patient Assistance Program
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Merck Co-Pay Assistance — $0 copay for eligible insured patients
Apply: merckhelps.com
Oncology drug administered in-clinic. PAP provides drug at no cost to qualifying patients through their oncologist.
5. Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli LillyPAP: BI Cares Patient Assistance
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Jardiance Savings Card — as low as $10/month
Apply: boehringer-ingelheim.com/patient-assistance
Also covers Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin). Lilly insulin programs are separate.
6. Stelara (ustekinumab)
Janssen (J&J)PAP: Janssen CarePath Patient Assistance
Income limit: 500% FPL (~$72,900 individual)
Copay card: Janssen CarePath Savings — $5/infusion for eligible patients
Apply: janssenprescriptionassistance.com
One of the most generous FPL thresholds at 500%. Covers subcutaneous and IV formulations.
7. Trulicity (dulaglutide)
Eli LillyPAP: Lilly Cares Foundation
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Trulicity Savings Card — as low as $25/month
Apply: lillycares.com
GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes. Also check insulin programs if using multiple Lilly products.
8. Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Janssen (J&J)PAP: Janssen CarePath Patient Assistance
Income limit: 500% FPL
Copay card: Xarelto Savings Card — $10/month for insured patients
Apply: janssenprescriptionassistance.com
Same generous J&J program as Stelara. Application covers all Janssen products.
9. Enbrel (etanercept)
AmgenPAP: Amgen Safety Net Foundation
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Enbrel Support Copay Card — as low as $5/month
Apply: amgensafetynetfoundation.com
Biosimilar Erelzi now available. Compare biosimilar pricing on Script Unlock before applying for PAP.
10. Dupixent (dupilumab)
Sanofi / RegeneronPAP: DUPIXENT MyWay
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: DUPIXENT MyWay Copay Card — as low as $0/month
Apply: dupixent.com/support
Covers atopic dermatitis, asthma, nasal polyps, and other approved indications.
11. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan)
NovartisPAP: Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Entresto Savings Card — as low as $10/month
Apply: patient.novartis.com
Heart failure medication. Generic expected 2027. PAP covers full course until generic availability.
12. Ibrance (palbociclib)
PfizerPAP: Pfizer Patient Assistance Program
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Pfizer Oncology Together Co-Pay Savings — $0 copay
Apply: pfizerrxpathways.com
Breast cancer medication. Pfizer RxPathways also helps find other financial assistance options.
13. Revlimid (lenalidomide)
Bristol-Myers SquibbPAP: BMS Patient Assistance Foundation
Income limit: 300% FPL
Copay card: BMS Co-Pay Assistance — eligible patients pay $0
Apply: bmspaf.org
Multiple myeloma medication with REMS program. Distributed through certified pharmacies only.
14. Skyrizi (risankizumab)
AbbViePAP: myAbbVie Assist
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Skyrizi Complete Savings Card — as low as $5/injection
Apply: abbvie.com/myabbvieassist
Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis. Same AbbVie program as Humira — one application covers both.
15. Mounjaro / Zepbound (tirzepatide)
Eli LillyPAP: Lilly Cares Foundation
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Mounjaro Savings Card — as low as $25/month for eligible insured
Apply: lillycares.com
Separate programs for Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight loss). Check eligibility for each indication.
16. Rinvoq (upadacitinib)
AbbViePAP: myAbbVie Assist
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: RINVOQ Complete Savings — as low as $5/month
Apply: abbvie.com/myabbvieassist
JAK inhibitor for RA, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, UC, Crohn's. AbbVie combined application.
17. Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
AstraZenecaPAP: AZ&Me Patient Assistance
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Farxiga Savings Card — as low as $0/month
Apply: azandmeapp.com
SGLT2 inhibitor for diabetes, heart failure, CKD. AstraZeneca program covers all AZ products.
18. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
TakedaPAP: Takeda Patient Assistance (HELP at Hand)
Income limit: 250% FPL (~$36,450 individual)
Copay card: Vyvanse Savings Card — as low as $30/month
Apply: takeda.com/patients
ADHD/BED medication. Lower FPL threshold than most. Schedule II controlled substance — special handling.
19. Otezla (apremilast)
AmgenPAP: Amgen Safety Net Foundation
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Otezla Savings Card — as low as $0/month for first prescription
Apply: amgensafetynetfoundation.com
Oral psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis medication. No injection required.
20. Cosentyx (secukinumab)
NovartisPAP: Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation
Income limit: 400% FPL
Copay card: Cosentyx CoPay Card — as low as $5/injection
Apply: patient.novartis.com
IL-17A inhibitor for psoriasis, AS, PsA. Novartis program covers multiple Novartis products.
What If You Don't Qualify for a Patient Assistance Program?
Not everyone meets the income threshold for manufacturer PAPs. If your income is above the limit, or if you have Medicare Part D, several alternative options can still reduce your prescription costs significantly.
- Manufacturer copay cards — Available for commercially insured patients regardless of income. Reduce brand-name copays to $0–$35/month.
- State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) — 38 states operate their own programs. Search your state at Medicare.gov.
- Nonprofit foundations — Organizations like the HealthWell Foundation, Patient Access Network (PAN), and Patient Advocate Foundation offer copay assistance with higher income limits.
- Generic or biosimilar alternatives — If a generic or biosimilar exists, it may cost 50–85% less than the brand name. Ask your doctor about therapeutic alternatives.
- Compare pharmacy cash prices — Cash prices vary by up to 10× between pharmacies for the same drug. Upload your prescription to Script Unlock and let pharmacies bid to give you the lowest price.
Can Medicare Patients Get Help With Prescription Costs?
Medicare Part D enrollees are excluded from most manufacturer PAPs. However, Medicare offers its own powerful cost-reduction program called Extra Help (also known as the Low-Income Subsidy or LIS). Extra Help can reduce your prescription costs to $0–$11.20 per medication per month.
To qualify for Extra Help in 2026, you must have Medicare Part A or B, annual income below $22,590 (individual) or $30,660 (couple), and resources below $17,220 (individual) or $34,360 (couple). Apply at SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
Learn more in our complete Medicare Part D guide.
What Is the Federal Poverty Level and How Does It Affect PAP Eligibility?
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is updated annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. Manufacturers use FPL multiples to set income thresholds. For 2026, the FPL guidelines for the 48 contiguous states are:
Alaska and Hawaii have higher FPL figures. Add $5,140 per additional household member. Source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patient Assistance Programs
How long does it take to get approved for a PAP?
Most applications are processed in 4–6 weeks. Some manufacturers offer bridge supplies (a short-term free supply) while your application is being reviewed. Ask the program coordinator about bridge availability.
Can my pharmacist help me apply?
Yes. Many pharmacies — especially independent pharmacies — have staff trained to help with PAP applications. Some pharmacies specialize in connecting patients with manufacturer programs. Ask your pharmacist.
What happens if my income changes during the year?
You are typically evaluated at the time of application and annual renewal. If your income increases above the threshold mid-year, most programs will honor your enrollment until the renewal date.
Are there PAPs for generic drugs?
PAPs are almost exclusively for brand-name drugs. Generic drugs are already priced significantly lower. If you need help affording generics, compare cash prices on Script Unlock — generic prices vary by up to 10× between pharmacies.
Can undocumented immigrants use PAPs?
Some manufacturer programs require legal US residency; others accept any US resident regardless of immigration status. Check individual program requirements. Community health centers and 340B pharmacies may also offer discounted medications regardless of status.
Can't Wait 6 Weeks? Compare Pharmacy Prices Now
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Upload Prescription — FreeDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Patient assistance program details, eligibility criteria, and income limits may change. Always verify current program details directly with the manufacturer. Script Unlock is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer.