Taking care of a child with epilepsy can be challenging, no matter where you are in your journey. You may be just starting to explore evaluations for epilepsy surgery, or perhaps seizures have returned after surgery.
No matter what, it can be hard to navigate all of the services and costs that come with epilepsy care. Finding health care and medicines that you can afford is one challenge.
Patient Assistance Programs can help you pay health care needs for your family.
These programs can provide:
- prescription medicine at low or no cost
- money for medical bills
- other financial or health care costs
Patient Assistance Programs offer certain drugs at a discount or for free to people who cannot afford them. The program can deliver medicines to people’s homes, doctor’s office, or their pharmacies.
All major drug companies have these programs. You may have to apply at each company.
There are nonprofit patient groups to help you learn how to get discounted medication or other help.
On their websites, you can:
- check if you can get help with your child’s medication
- find out which company makes the drug
- print applications and instructions
- find forums for patient support
Nonprofit and government groups can help you understand Patient Assistance Programs.
Here are some resources to help you get started:
Epilepsy Foundation’s 24/7 Helpline
Epilepsy Foundation’s Patient Assistance page
Epilepsy Foundation’s Prescription Drug Assistance Programs
Epilepsy Foundation’s Resource page
FamilyWize Community Service Partnership
The Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Programs
Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT)
About the author
Audrey Vernick is the Director of Patient and Family Advocacy for The Brain Recovery Project. She is the parent of a child who had hemispherectomy for seizures caused by stroke. Ms. Vernick holds a level 2 certification in Special Education Advocacy Training from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and is certified by The ARC in future planning. She represents The Brain Recovery Project in the Rare Epilepsy Network‘s Adult Transition Taskforce and serves on the Youth Advisory Council for HOBSCOTCH (HOme Based Self-management and COgnitive Training CHanges lives), a behavioral program designed to address memory and attention problems for people who have epilepsy.
