What to Do When You Cannot Afford Your Prescription
What I want patients to know about medication costs and the resources available to help.
October 14, 2026
One of the challenges we see in the pharmacy is patients struggling to afford their medications. Sometimes, patients leave without filling their prescriptions because of the cost. What many patients may not realize is that there are programs and resources available that could help.
As a pharmacist, one of the most important things I want patients to understand is that they should never feel uncomfortable asking about medication costs or other barriers to taking their prescriptions.
If you are having difficulty affording your medications, please let us know. We may be able to find a lower-cost alternative, determine whether you qualify for medication assistance, or work with your healthcare provider to find another solution. Our goal is to make sure patients have access to the medications they need.
What Happens When You Tell Us You Cannot Afford Your Medication?
The first step is understanding your situation and determining what options may be available. At the Community Pharmacy at Nashville General Hospital, we begin by checking whether you have active prescription insurance coverage.
If you have insurance, we can review your coverage, identify potential alternatives, and contact your healthcare provider when appropriate.
For patients without prescription insurance, we can complete an eligibility assessment for our NGH Hope Meds Program. Patients complete a short attestation form that includes household size and income information. If you have already completed the hospital’s financial assistance process, we can also document your charity card information. However, a hospital charity card does not automatically cover prescriptions or establish eligibility for Hope Meds.
Eligibility can be determined directly at the pharmacy, often during the same visit. Patients should not have to wait days or weeks to find out whether they can receive assistance with their medications.
Programs Available to Help Reduce Medication Costs
Low-Cost Generic Medications
Our pharmacy offers a selection of commonly prescribed generic medications for $4 and $9. These medications can provide an affordable option for patients managing chronic conditions or paying out of pocket. Because we are a hospital-owned community pharmacy, we have some flexibility in selecting medications that meet the needs of the patients we serve.
NGH Hope Meds Program
One of our most valuable resources is the NGH Hope Meds Program, which provides eligible patients with medications at no cost. Through our partnership with Dispensary of Hope, a Nashville-based nonprofit organization, we are able to provide medications to patients who are uninsured and whose household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
The program includes medications used to treat common chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and COPD. Insulin is one of the medications we frequently provide through this program. For patients who previously struggled to afford their medications, this program can make a significant difference in their ability to manage their health.
Patient Medicine Fund
For patients who do not qualify for NGH Hope Meds or need medications that are not available through the program, additional assistance may be available through the Nashville General Hospital Foundation’s Patient Medicine Fund. This fund, supported by employee and community donations, helps cover medication costs when other resources are not available, subject to eligibility and available funding. Our pharmacy works to identify appropriate resources based on each patient’s individual needs.
Specialty Medication Assistance
Patients receiving specialty medications through Nashville Healthcare Pharmacy at Metro Center may have additional assistance options. The specialty pharmacy team works with medication manufacturers and available grant programs to help patients access medications that may otherwise be difficult to afford.
Medication Access Is About More Than Cost
Although medication affordability is a significant concern, it is not the only barrier our patients face. Transportation, insurance coverage, difficulty understanding medication instructions, and managing multiple prescriptions can all affect a patient’s ability to follow their treatment plan.
Many of our patients rely on public transportation or have limited transportation options. At Nashville General Hospital, we can help with transportation-related barriers through resources such as bus passes, parking validation, and the hospital’s golf cart shuttle service.
We also encourage patients to speak with their pharmacist if they are having difficulty understanding their medications or managing their prescription schedules. Not every problem has an immediate solution, but understanding the barrier allows us to identify the next step.
The Impact of Medication Assistance
One patient experience that has stayed with me involved an uninsured patient with diabetes who had been paying hundreds of dollars each month for insulin. Eventually, the cost became too much, and he stopped taking his medication.
When he came to our pharmacy, we reviewed his eligibility and enrolled him in the NGH Hope Meds Program. He was able to receive both his short-acting and long-acting insulin at no cost. He later told us that the program had saved his life.
Experiences like this are a reminder of why medication access programs are so important. For some patients, assistance with medication costs can mean the difference between managing a chronic condition and going without treatment.
What Patients Should Bring to the Pharmacy
If you are having difficulty affording or managing your medications, I encourage you to speak with your pharmacist.
When possible, bring an updated list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements. Be sure to include the medication names, strengths, and directions. Bring your prescription insurance card if you have one. If you do not have insurance, you can still speak with us about available assistance programs.
Most importantly, let us know if something is preventing you from taking your medications as prescribed. Whether the concern is cost, transportation, insurance, or difficulty managing your prescriptions, we want to help you explore your options.
Patients should not have to choose between affording their medications and meeting their other basic needs. At the Community Pharmacy at Nashville General Hospital, our focus is on helping patients overcome barriers to medication access and supporting them in managing their health.
The Community Pharmacy at Nashville General Hospital is located at 1818 Albion Street in Nashville, Tennessee. Translation services are available. For more information, contact the Community Pharmacy at 615-341-4414.
Meet the Expert
Camille Dao, PharmD, is Pharmacy Manager at Nashville General Hospital’s Community Pharmacy. A Lipscomb University graduate with 15+ years of experience, she is passionate about medication access, patient education, and helping underserved communities.
