Patient Assistance Programs

Patients with chronic retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) often can’t afford the out-of-pocket co-pay costs for the prescription drugs needed for treatment. 

Privately insured patients, including those who purchase insurance through state insurance exchanges, can seek assistance directly from pharmaceutical-sponsored and independent programs.

Availability and eligibility of patient assistance programs (PAPs) can change at any time, so contact program representatives for current information.

Pharmaceutical-sponsored programs

Allergan, Inc.:
Allergan offers patient assistance for dexamethasone (Ozurdex®) for treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetic macular edema and uveitis. (866) 698-7339, option 4

Bausch + Lomb:
Bausch + Lomb offers patients assistance for pegaptanib sodium (Macugen®), verteporfin (Visudyne®) and fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (Retisert®)

  • Call the Focus on Access hotline at (866) 272-8838

Genentech:

Genentech Ophthalmology Access Solutions is a program that helps people who are taking a Genentech medicine including: VABYSMO® (faricimab-svoa), LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab injection), and SUSVIMO (ranibizumab injection). 

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals:

Independent programs

Independent patient assistance programs (PAPs) offer benefits for patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance:

  • TotalAssist (A merger with the Patient Advocate Foundation and the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation): With nearly 150 disease-specific and health equity financial assistance funds, TotalAssist supports eligible patients across a wide range of conditions—from cancer and rare diseases to chronic and complex illnesses. Through these disease-specific funds, TotalAssist helps patients pay for their eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including medication copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, health insurance premiums, office visit charges the day of treatment, and administration charges related to treatment. 866-512-3861
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has offered PAPS since 1987 to help patients obtain medication, financial assistance with insurance premiums and co-pays, diagnostic testing, and travel assistance for clinical trials, consultations and disease specialists.  NORD offers disease-specific assistance programs for patients with RVO and uveitis. (800) 999-6673, ext. 219. Visit patient assistance program.
  • Good Days is a national non-profit charitable organization that provides financial assistance for treatment associated with Macular and Retinal diseases. To enroll, contact a Good Days Care Navigator at (877) 968-7233.
  • HealthWell Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to cover co-insurance, co-payments, healthcare premiums and deductibles for certain treatments.
  • State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers Medicare guidance. Click here for Medicare basics.