LowerScript for South Carolinians

Prescription help guide

Can't Afford Your Prescriptions in South Carolina? Where to Get Help

Information checked October 20, 2026.

Here is where people in South Carolina can get help paying for prescriptions, with free or low-cost options first. Programs and rules change, so check each program's own page or phone line before you apply.

State programs

SC AIDS Drug Assistance Program (SC ADAP)

Who it helps: Low-income South Carolina residents with HIV who have limited or no coverage from private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. It helps pay for FDA-approved HIV medications and drugs for HIV-related opportunistic infections.

How to apply: Start on the program's page: https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/hivaids/aids-drug-assistance-program. The page does not list a phone number.

SC State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

Who it helps: Free one-on-one counseling for people with Medicare, their families and caregivers. It helps compare Part D drug plans and apply for Low-Income Subsidies, Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs.

How to apply: Call the SC Department on Aging toll free at 1-800-868-9095 (local (803) 734-9900), or contact your local Area Agency on Aging. Website: https://aging.sc.gov/.

Charities, clinics and help applying

SC Thrive (help applying for benefits)

Who it helps: A nonprofit that screens you for, and helps you apply for, programs including Healthy Connections Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs and the Welvista Prescription Assistance Program.

How to apply: https://scthrive.org/for-you/apply-for-benefits/ or call the help line at 800-726-8774 (English or Spanish).

SC Free Clinic Association - Find a Free Clinic

Who it helps: A network of free clinics serving South Carolina's uninsured (35 clinics in 81 locations in 2024, according to the association). Eligibility rules and pharmacy help differ by clinic, so ask the clinic.

How to apply: Search by clinic name, zip code, city or keyword: https://www.scfreeclinics.org/clinics/. No phone number is shown.

Welvista Medication Assistance Pharmacy (MAP)

Who it helps: Free prescription medicine for eligible South Carolinians without health insurance. You must prove South Carolina residence. Household gross income must be at or below $3,990 a month ($47,880 a year) for 1 person, $5,410 a month ($64,920 a year) for 2 people, or $8,250 a month ($99,000 a year) for 4 people.

How to apply: Apply online or on paper: https://www.welvista.org/pharmacy-patients/map-application-page/. MAP (803) 933-9184; main line (803) 933-9183; email applications@welvista.org; fax 803-254-0892. Help from advocates: https://www.welvista.org/pharmacy-patients/community-outreach-advocates/. Approval typically takes 2 to 3 weeks, and enrollment lasts up to one year or until you get insurance.

Find a Health Center (community health centers)

Who it helps: The South Carolina Primary Health Care Association is the association of the state's community health centers. Ask each center whether it offers sliding-fee or pharmacy services.

How to apply: Call 803-788-2778 or 803-788-8233 (numbers listed at https://www.scphca.org). Find a center near you with the federal locator: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.

Insurance help

Healthy Connections Medicaid

Who it helps: Eligibility is generally based on income and assets. Groups usually eligible include children, parents and caretaker relatives, pregnant women, people over 65 and people with disabilities. The program says to apply if you are unsure.

How to apply: Online: https://apply.scdhhs.gov/. Member Contact Center (888) 549-0820, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; TTY 888-842-3620. Local offices: https://www.scdhhs.gov/members/where-go-help. Income limits: https://www.scdhhs.gov/members/program-eligibility-and-income-limits. You must renew every year.

Medicare Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)

Who it helps: People with Medicare and limited income and resources. It helps with Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. You qualify automatically if you have full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program or SSI. Medicare.gov lists 2026 limits of $23,940 income and $18,090 resources for an individual, and $32,460 income and $36,100 resources for a couple.

How to apply: Online: https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/Ee001View.action. Phone 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

HealthCare.gov Marketplace

Who it helps: People who need health coverage. Open Enrollment starts November 1. If you apply through HealthCare.gov and may be eligible for Medicaid, your application is passed to SCDHHS.

How to apply: https://www.healthcare.gov/ or call 1-800-318-2596. Use "Find local help" on the site.

Help from drug makers

NeedyMeds

Who it helps: Anyone seeking help with medication costs. This nonprofit lists more than 30,000 programs, including patient assistance programs, free and sliding-scale clinics, coupons and state programs.

How to apply: https://www.needymeds.org or the toll-free helpline 800-503-6897.

For everyday prices

For everyday prescriptions, compare pharmacy prices and use the free LowerScript card. Check your price and get the card on the South Carolina card page. It is a discount, not insurance, and prices vary by pharmacy.

LowerScript is a private discount card, not a government program.

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