The majority of U.S. citizens struggle to afford medication despite having health insurance

If you’ve ever delayed filling a prescription because of the cost, you’re not alone. The 2024 Biennial Health Insurance Survey revealed that 57% of underinsured citizens avoided healthcare due to cost.

With chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease on the rise, access to medication has never been more critical. Fortunately, several leading pharmaceutical companies offer financial assistance to fill prescriptions, helping uninsured and underinsured patients access life-saving treatments.

Here are five of the most reliable programs available in 2025, including who qualifies and what makes each one stand out:

1. Pfizer RxPathways

Pfizer Prescription Assistance provides free medicines, savings cards, and insurance guidance; it gives access to over 50 Pfizer medications, covering a wide range of conditions, including ones meant for asthma and heart disease.

Eligibility:

• S. residents with no or limited insurance.
• Income is generally under 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
• Physician’s prescription required.

The prescription program is popular as it covers both brand-name and generic options with simple enrollment.

2. Merck Patient Assistance Program

Merck Prescription Assistance helps patients afford long-term treatments, especially for diabetes and heart conditions. It offers support for chronic medications like Januvia and Zetia.

Eligibility:

• S. residents earning below 400% FPL.
• Must be uninsured or underinsured.

The prescription program provides full-size medication shipments directly to eligible patients.

3. Sanofi Patient Connection

Sanofi Prescription Assistance offers copay help and medication delivery for people without full insurance coverage. They offer help for asthma, diabetes, and allergy medications.

Eligibility:

• S. residents.
• Income generally below 400% FPL.
• Children and adults eligible.

The prescription program is known for supporting refills and multiple diagnoses.

4. Janssen CarePath (Johnson & Johnson)

Johnson and Johnson Prescription Assistance, through Janssen, helps patients afford treatments for cancer, immune disorders, and mental health conditions. It’s known for simplifying access to specialty treatments.

Eligibility:

• Uninsured or underinsured U.S. residents
• Typically earning under 400–500% FPL

The program has a user-friendly digital portal, which helps track applications and renewals; the feature is especially useful for caregivers.

5. Lilly Cares Foundation

Lilly Cares Prescription Assistance provides medications used to treat diabetes, depression, and ADHD, which are often expensive without coverage.

Eligibility:

• S. patients without insurance or on Medicare Part D.
• Income under 300% FPL.
• Physician submission required.

The assistance program offers special support for patients requiring long-term therapy or caregiver coordination.

Prescription assistance decreases the financial burden on underinsured patients

Have Experienced Assistance Connect You To These Programs

Getting the medication you need shouldn’t come down to affordability. These programs from Pfizer, Merck, Sanofi, Janssen, and Lilly offer trusted prescription drug assistance, and Advocate My Meds can help you access them all.

As a leading prescription assistance organization, they guide patients through enrollment and connect them with over 1,500 FDA-approved medications from top U.S. manufacturers. If you’re unsure where to start, they’re the best go-to for simplifying the process and getting real, affordable results.

Have a particular medication you’re having trouble accessing? Contact Advocate My Meds for help today.