Living with an illness is hard. Getting your medicine shouldn’t be.

“I understand the medication. I understand how to use it. I understand the cost,” said an Illinois patient enrolled in an AbbVie support program. “I don't have any anxiety going into my treatment or taking my medicine or changing medication, because I've been so well supported along the way.”

AbbVie also has a variety of financial solutions for patients who are insured, underinsured or not insured. Continue reading to learn about three ways AbbVie helps patients get the medication they need.

Treatments covered by insurance vary among providers and can change every year. As a result, some patients might find that medication previously covered by their insurance is no longer covered. Or, after changing plans, their new insurance plan might cover their medication differently.

“It’s this financial uncertainty that frustrates many patients and prevents them from getting help, asking questions or even going to the doctor to begin with. Supporting them through those pain points is a big deal,” said Lisa Peiser, vice president of patient services at AbbVie. “Patients often don’t know that manufacturers provide support so they can more easily get and stay on their prescribed treatments. That’s why it’s important to reach out and ask about available resources.”

For patients with commercial insurance, AbbVie offers:

• Savings cards to reduce their out-of-pocket costs 
• Rebates that reimburse patients for out-of-pocket expenses
• Other savings solutions to help eligible patients taking AbbVie treatments

AbbVie also employs trained insurance specialists who work with patients one-on-one, with some support services available 24/7 by phone. These specialists can help patients understand their insurance coverage and find the best available savings opportunities.

“Cost should be the last thing patients have to worry about once they’ve found a treatment that works for them,” said Alexander Williams, director of patient access and affordability solutions at AbbVie.

Delays are another pain point for patients. Many insurance providers require doctors to complete prior authorization – the healthcare provider must get approval from a patient’s health plan first to ensure coverage – before they will cover a medicine. But if they don’t receive the right information, or if forms are not completed fully or are sent to the wrong department, there could be a delay in access. Sometimes, insurance companies won't cover a new treatment for a period of time after it’s been approved, creating even more delays and stress for the patient.

“When manual errors occur, it’s often difficult to figure out where things went wrong,” Williams says. “Without any sort of intervention, patients who are dealing with painful and even life-threatening diseases may end up waiting a long time for their medications.”

To mitigate these kinds of delays, in some cases, AbbVie can offer a bridge program. The program allows qualified patients to receive their medication for free from AbbVie’s specialty pharmacy until they can obtain it through their commercial insurance.

"We often hear from patients who may not get their medication on time. Many of them are scared and frustrated,” Williams says. “When we can help, our teams can hear the relief in their voice.”

Sudden life changes, like job loss or loss of health insurance, can make accessing medication even more stressful. To help patients who have difficulty paying for medication, AbbVie offers myAbbVie Assist, a patient assistance program that provides free AbbVie medicine to qualifying patients with limited or no health insurance coverage. In 2023, AbbVie provided more than 218,000 patients in the U.S. with access to medicines at no cost through the program.

“To say that this helps my family is an understatement. The financial assistance and the mental relief this program provides really cannot be put into words,” said one Illinois patient.

According to Joshua Walsh, AbbVie’s director of global patient access programs, “myAbbVie Assist is a lifeline for patients who cannot access essential medicines to treat chronic or life-threatening illnesses. We help patients focus on what matters most – improving their health – during critical times of need.”

Whether through savings cards, bridge programs or free medication, AbbVie’s goal is to make it easier and less frustrating for patients to get the medications they need.

“We want patients to feel empowered and to take ownership of their treatment,” said Peiser. “We’re committed to making sure we give them the support they need when they need it most.”