HIV Patient Assistance Programs (PAP)

Referring eligible clients to a patient assistance program (PAP) ensures Ryan White is the payor of last resort.

What is PAP?

A PAP is a Patient Assistance Program. Pharmaceutical companies run PAPs to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine.

A PAP provides HIV clients with sources to provide extra help to pay part or all of the cost of their HIV medications. This help is in addition to and separate from the assistance provided by the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), a federal grant program. It is important to note that this program is not part of a state system (SPAP). ADAP ensures underserved and uninsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS have access to life-saving medications. The use of these resources transfers some of the financial burden from ADAP to the private sector.

DSHS and several Administrative Agencies use various HIV PAP programs. This extends the ability to provide medication to more HIV patients with limited funds. We are continuously identifying more sources of funding to expand the level of medication coverage the state can provide.