November 11, 2008

New GSK Program Reduces Out-of-Pocket Costs for HIV Meds

GlaxoSmithKline announced today the launch of a new Patient Savings Card to help eligible people living with HIV reduce their out-of-pocket medication expenses. Through this new program, patients are eligible to save up to $100 every month for each of their prescriptions involving antiretrovirals (ARVs) produced by GSK, for up to two years.

HIV-positive people are eligible for the new GSK-funded program if they pay any amount of cash for their ARVs, such as insurance co-payments or full-price payments, and their prescriptions are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, a state AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) or other government-funded assistance program. Retired people who are Medicare eligible and enrolled in an employer-sponsored health plan or drug benefit plan are not eligible. Additionally, Massachusetts residents are eligible only if they are paying the entire cost of their ARVs themselves.

Although the Patient Savings Card can only be used for ARVs manufactured by GSK—options include Lexiva (fosamprenavir), Epzicom (abacavir plus lamivudine), Ziagen (abacavir), Epivir (lamivudine) and Retrovir (zidovudine)—it can be used to defray the out-of-pocket costs of multiple medications. For example, a person who is taking Norvir-boosted Lexiva plus Epzicom would save up to $100 on his or her co-payments for both prescriptions—up to $200 total. The co-payment associated with the Norvir prescription would not be covered.

Patients can enroll in the program by visiting their doctors and asking for a Patient Savings Card and then presenting it to their local pharmacist along with their prescriptions for eligible GSK ARVs.

Search: GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, Patient Savings Card, insurance co-pay, Lexiva, fosamprenavir, Ziagen, abacavir, Epivir, lamivudine, Retrovir, zidovudine

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

Julie, SFco, 2008-12-14 01:01:11
Has been more than a month that I been trying to get this card but my health insurance is blocking it because of some stupid internal policy. We are talking about medicines, that keep people alive, enough is enough, we deserve a little bit more respect from those health insurance companies, the insurance comissioner, especially when we are paying top price. This is an absurd.

Carlos Oliveira, Atlanta, 2008-11-18 15:05:15
I have all the requirements to use this card/benefit but my insurance (Kayser Permanente) told me that, the sales meds representative are not allowed to their premises. And for that reason, even "fitting" the requirements, I've been denied by my insurance for such discount. This need to be better explained, Thank you.

Chgo46, Atlanta, 2008-11-18 14:02:32
I've been talking to my insurance since Friday about this program and they said that (Kayser Permanente), they know nothing about it. After guiding them through this web site, I hope they can understand what this program is about. (Lab x insurance x lack of communication)

David Evans, AIDSmeds, New York, 2008-11-13 18:27:50
The program IS a bit confusing. According to GSK's helpline, people with Medicare Part D are NOT eligible for the new program, even during their gap in coverage. Instead, GSK encourages such individuals to apply for their Access program, which covers 100 percent of the cost of all GSK meds as long as people's meet certain eligibility criteria. People with questions about either program should call 888.825.5249.

Richie, Southside Chicago, 2008-11-13 12:33:36
Eligibility is for those who have commercial insurance,managed care or pay cash for their prescription. No one who uses Medicaid, ADAP or Medicare for prescriptions is eligible.

Richie, Chicago, 2008-11-12 23:11:12
Robert - Go to mysupportcard.com for all the details.

Robert A., San Francisco, 2008-11-12 12:13:40
I can't figure out by the above who is eligible or not. It seems to contradicts itself. Does it or does it not pay for eligible out of pocket "co-pays" on a prescription for people on a Medicare Advantage Part D plan, or ADAP but might not be paid entirely under these programs? Just when and how is paid, to whom, etc. This is very confusing! Looks like double talk. Can this be made clearer?