What Is a Specialty Pharmacy?

A specialty pharmacy provides medications for complex, chronic, or rare conditions that require special handling, administration, or monitoring. These pharmacies dispense high-cost drugs for conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and rare genetic disorders.

How do specialty pharmacies differ from regular pharmacies?

• Specialized medications: They focus on high-cost, high-complexity drugs that may not be available at standard retail pharmacies.
• Patient support services: Offer medication counseling, adherence programs, and insurance coordination.
• Special handling requirements: Some drugs require refrigeration, home infusion, or strict storage conditions.

Specialty Pharmacies and Medicare Coverage

• Medicare Part D: Covers many specialty medications but may require prior authorization, step therapy, or higher cost-sharing.
• Medicare Advantage (Part C): May have specific specialty pharmacy networks, affecting where prescriptions can be filled.
• Manufacturer and assistance programs: Some patients may qualify for financial aid through pharmaceutical assistance programs.

How Solace can help

A Solace advocate can help navigate Medicare Part D coverage, appeal medication denials, and connect you with financial assistance programs to reduce high out-of-pocket costs.

What to do next

Struggling to access or afford specialty medications? Find an advocate today.