A PAP is a Patient Assistance Program. Patient Assistance Programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine.
If a PAP can pay for one or more medications, Ryan White funds are saved to help other people who need medications or to help you with medications that are not covered by PAP.
No. People may be eligible for PAPs even if they receive assistance from other sources.
Any medication assistance program will require paperwork. PAPs usually have slightly more complicated documentation requirements than the State ADAP. All agencies receiving Ryan White funding to provide care or medications must ensure that Ryan White monies are used as payor of last resort. It is required that they refer patients to and assist patients in applying for PAP. Ensuring Ryan White funds are used as payor of last resort ensures the program is there for patients when they really need it. Additionally, if there are medications that the patient needs that are not covered by the PAP, ADAP might be able to assist. DSHS, several Administrative Agencies and some services providers have been using PAPs to ensure Ryan White is used as payor of last resort.
Your case manager can assist you in filling out the paperwork and identifying what PAPs might be right for you. You can also visit several online resources (listed in the next question) to explore for yourself how to do this.
There are many PAP resources available online: