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  • DSHS HIV/STD Program

    Post Office Box 149347, MC 1873
    Austin, Texas 78714

    Phone: (512) 533-3000

    E-mail the HIV/STD Program

    E-mail data requests to HIV/STD Program - This email can be used to request data and statistics on HIV, TB, and STDs in Texas. It cannot be used to get treatment or infection history for individuals, or to request information on programs and services. Please do not include any personal, identifying health information in your email such as HIV status, Date of Birth, Social Security Number, etc.

    For treatment/testing history, please contact your local Health Department.

    For information on HIV testing and services available to Persons Living with HIV and AIDS, please contact your local HIV services organization.

HIV Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) for Consumers

What is PAP?

A PAP is a Patient Assistant Program. Patient Assistance Programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine.

What is the advantage of PAPs over state or local medication assistance programs?

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.

Aren't PAPs only for people not covered by the State ADAP or other medication assistance program?

No. People may be eligible for PAPs even if they receive assistance from other sources.

Isn't the paperwork involved in applying to PAPs hard to complete?

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 ther 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. One provider in Tarrant County worked with clients to get on PAPs totalling $409,000 PAP in 2010. This means there was $409,000 to provide other very needed services for Tarrant County HIV infected clients.

How can I get help filling out the paper work?

Your case manager can assist you in filling out the paper work 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.

How do I find PAPs?

There are many PAP resources available online:

HIV Co-pay and Patient Assistance Programs (PDF : 14 kB)
Payor of Last Resort (PDF : 567 kB) presentation by Paula McNeely of Tarrant County Public Health
www.rxassist.org
www.access2wellness.com
www.myrxadvocate.com
www.freemedicinefoundation.com

What if I have questions?

Contact DSHS

Last updated October 3, 2017