Here's a list of Web sites and organizations that provide information about patient assistance programs:

Free Medicine Foundation: A nationwide patient advocacy program that links consumers to companies and organizations that provide free or no-cost prescriptions.

Needy Meds: This site provides a roundup of prescription drug assistance from state, local and federal governments as well as foundations, organizations and companies.

Here's a list of organizations that directly provide financial help to patients who are uninsured or underinsured and need help with prescription drug co-pays, co-insurance or free drugs. Some of these organizations help people with specific illnesses while others are open to all.

• Partnership for Prescription Assistance: A clearinghouse for prescription drug assistance programs, including 150 pharmaceutical companies that offer help, this organization will assess your need and connect you with companies and programs that can help.
• Patient Access Network Foundation: Offers assistance with insurance co-pays, co-insurance and other out of pocket health care costs. Health conditions covered include breast cancer, chemotherapy induced anemia/neutropenia, colorectal cancer and other cancers and lymphomas.
• Healthwell Foundation: A nonprofit foundation that provides co-payment and health insurance premium payments for individuals and families who earn no more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level and who suffer from conditions where funding is available.
• Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief Program: Covers co-pays and co-insurance for prescriptions taken for an eligible medical condition, including cancer, diabetes and macular degeneration.
• Patient Services Incorporated: Provides financial assistance with co-pays and co-insurance for patients with certain medical conditions and also pays for medical supplies needed by patients with bleeding disorders.
• Cancer Care: Provides limited financial assistant grants for transportation, child care and home care; also provides counseling and assistance for cancer patients.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders: Helps patients pay for prescriptions they can't afford as well as medications that are not yet on the market. Rare diseases covered include HIV/AIDs, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
• Caring Voice Coalition: Offers assistance in paying for prescription drugs to patients with pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or Alpha 1.
• Chronic Disease Fund: Offers assistance with co-pays and co-insurance for drugs needed by patients with certain chronic conditions. Patients who have no drug insurance may get free medications as long as they meet income, asset and medical condition guidelines.