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Prescription Assistance Program

Our Prescription Assistance Program is run by Blue Circle Foundation, a related philanthropic organization.

Our Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) helps with the cost of T1D prescriptions and supplies purchased through the participant’s pharmacy. The program is open to Blue Circle Health participants who live at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level for their zip code, and will provide a pharmacy card to help purchase needed medications.

You can apply for the program directly through our online portal available at https://pap.bluecirclefoundation.com/#/login  or by calling our program specialists at: (844) 812-3800 M-F 8:30am – 5:00pm EST

If you have questions on your application, funding or use of the card, please contact the program specialists at (844) 812-3800 and we can support you in the application process.

Apply to Blue Circle's Prescription Assistance Program

Details

  • The program is open to US citizens and non-citizens. However, non-citizen participants will need to apply through our Insurance Navigation Team, or directly with an application specialist over the phone.
  • If approved, you will receive an electronic pharmacy card and will receive a packet in the mail with additional information and a printed card.
  • The pharmacy card has an award loaded onto the card of at least $1,500, the award is available for one year or until funds are used. Please keep track of this date, as any remaining funds will disappear after 1 year.
  • The card can be used for T1D-related medical supplies and prescriptions that you have a prescription for, including some over the counter supplies and  pump supplies, at the pharmacy of your choice (including online pharmacies).
  • The prescriptions can be written by any provider, with the exception of pump supplies. Pump supply prescriptions need to come from your primary care provider or endocrinologist.
  • If you have questions about your prescriptions, or would like education about prescriptions, BCH staff can schedule an appointment for you.
  • For insured participants, the pharmacy will run the insurance, and then the pharmacy card can be used for the remaining balance.
  • Patients are eligible for PAP one time, and there are no extensions or re-applications at this time.
  • Once approved, participants must notify our PAP Program Specialist team of any insurance changes, including obtaining or losing/cancelling of insurance plans, at (844) 812-3800 or BlueCircleFoundation@patientadvocate.org  or the card may be declined at the pharmacy.

Formulary Summary

The PAP card can be used to help purchase the following medications from the pharmacy:

  • Glucagon – all brands, all types
  • Insulin – all brands, all types
  • CGM – all brands, all models
  • Pump Supplies – infusion sets, reservoirs and/or cartridges (including omnipods) for all pumps (Excluded: Initial Starter Sets, as applicable)

 

The following over the counter (OTC)* supplies are covered by the program with a prescription and may be able to be filled at your pharmacy:

These OTC products may be able to be filled by your pharmacy, dependent on their pharmacy rules. Check with your pharmacy on their ability to fill these products with a prescription.

  • Glucose Meter – all brands, all models*
  • Glucose Meter Lancets – all brands, all sizes*
  • Glucose Meter Test Strips – all brands*
  • Ketone Test Strips – all brands
  • Insulin Pen Needle – all brands, all sizes*
  • Syringes – all brands, all sizes*
  • Insulin Syringes – all brands, all sizes*
  • Glucose Tabs – all brands*
  • Glucose Gel – all brands*
  • Skin Tac*
  • KT Tape*
  • Tegaderm*
  • Clear bandages for covering CGM*
  • Alcohol Swabs / wipes / prep pads*
  • Isopropyl Alcohol Pads*
  • Sharps Containers*

 

*Available with or without a prescription

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes. The PAP is open to both insured and uninsured BCH patients.

When you go to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription, you will use the card similarly to a flex spending card. For those who are insured, the pharmacy will run the insurance, and then the PAP pharmacy card can be used for the remaining balance. For those who are uninsured, the PAP pharmacy card can be used for the entire balance.

Yes. If you do not have a social security number, you will need to complete the application over the phone (see why, below). You can choose to do that on your own or one of our BCH care team members can assist. BCF Program Specialists are available in English and Spanish and can be reached at 844-812-3800 Monday through Friday from 8:30a-5:00p ET.

Your social security number, or A-number (if applicable) is used to verify income without needing you to send in supporting documentation. If you do not feel comfortable providing your social security or A-number, you can complete the application over the phone, and will need to send in documentation to verify your income. Our program does not use government funds and is not reported to any governmental organization.
Yes. The PAP application is available in English and Spanish. There are also English-Spanish bilingual team members who can assist with applications over the phone.

No. The PAP pharmacy card is only to be used by the person whose name is on the PAP application. The card is not to be used by persons other than the individual who was approved and should not be shared with others.

The pharmacy card does not need to be used right away. However, if you have not made a purchase within 120 days of approval, you will receive written notification that the card will be inactivated soon if you do not use the funds.
Yes. The PAP pharmacy card expires one year from the date your PAP application was approved. For example, if your application was approved on July 10, 2024, your PAP pharmacy card will expire on July 10, 2025. You will have one year to use the card to purchase your T1D prescriptions (medications and supplies).

If your insurance status changes (going from insured to uninsured, or uninsured to insured) after you have been approved for the PAP, your current card will not work. You will need to contact the BCF Program Specialists directly to get a new card. BCF Program Specialists are available in English and Spanish and can be reached at 844-812-3800 Monday through Friday from 8:30a-5:00p ET. Please note: if your insurance status changes, the PAP amount you receive may change as well even in the middle of the award cycle. If you are insured, and you change insurances (for example from UHC to BCBS), you do not need to do anything.

The PAP pharmacy card can be used for T1D-related medications and supplies. These include both prescription and non-prescription medications and supplies such as glucagon, insulin, pump supplies like infusion sets, reservoirs and cartridges, CGMs, glucose meters, test strips, lancets, ketone test strips, pen needles, syringes, glucose tabs, glucose gel, skin tac, Tegaderm, KT Tape, and alcohol wipes. Over-the-counter (OTC) items will also require a prescription in order for the card to be used. Please note that OTC items may be able to be filled by your pharmacy dependent on their pharmacy rules. Check with your pharmacy on their ability to fill these products with a prescription.

The PAP card can be used for pump supplies, including Omnipod, for existing pumps at pharmacies. Pump supplies being available at a pharmacy are based on insurance company rules. If you are insured, your insurance plan may require that you purchase pump supplies through a DME provider. The PAP card cannot be used at DME providers or for new pump starts.

As a participant of Blue Circle Health, please also be aware that the Blue Circle Care Team is not able to prescribe pump supplies. Prescriptions must come from your primary care provider or endocrinologist. 

The PAP pharmacy card can be used at most pharmacies. Some small, independent pharmacies may not be included initially. However, there is no cost to pharmacies to join and they can choose to be added to the list of allowable pharmacies at any time. The PAP pharmacy card can also be used with online pharmacies. If you are at a store location that happens to have a pharmacy (for example: Walmart), and want to purchase prescription or over-the-counter medications and supplies with the pharmacy card, please go to the pharmacy counter to complete your transaction.

Once the PAP application is approved, you will receive an email confirmation of the approval with the approved amount. Please remember to check your junk/spam folder for the confirmation. If you are expecting an approval email and have not received it, please reach out to one of our team members for assistance. You can check your balance at any time in the portal at https://pap.bluecirclefoundation.com/#/login. If you apply for the PAP via phone and do not have a social security or A* number, you can call our team for assistance regarding your balance at 844-812-3800.

If approved, you will receive an electronic PAP pharmacy card by email and a packet in the mail with a printed paper card and additional information.
No. The PAP funds given to individuals from Blue Circle Foundation do not need to be included on your taxes. These funds are considered a gift and therefore do not need to be claimed as income.
Yes. The PAP pharmacy card can be used to pay for T1D-related prescriptions from any provider.
No. The PAP is a one-time program and approved participants are unable to receive additional funds. If you have been a PAP recipient, are a current BCH patient and are still having trouble affording your prescriptions, members of our BCH care team can help you with finding additional resources. You can contact them via phone at 888-404-4813.
The PAP application process takes approximately 5-15 minutes to complete via portal link and an application decision is immediate upon submission. The PAP application can take 25-30 minutes to complete via phone and may take a bit longer if supporting documentation is required.