BI Cares Patient Assistance Program Guide

What Is the BI Cares Patient Assistance Program?

Boehringer Ingelheim manufactures some of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States, including Jardiance, Ofev, and Spiriva. For patients without adequate insurance coverage, the retail cost of these drugs can run into the hundreds — or, for some specialty therapies, thousands — of dollars per month. The BI Cares patient assistance program, run through the BI Cares Foundation, was created to bridge that gap by providing eligible patients with certain Boehringer Ingelheim medicines at no cost.

Unlike a manufacturer coupon that simply lowers a copay, the BI Cares Foundation patient assistance program supplies the actual medication to qualifying patients free of charge. It is charitable assistance based on residency, coverage status, and financial need — not insurance, and not something you have to be an existing customer to use. Program terms, income limits, and the covered-drug list change over time, so treat the figures in this guide as a starting point and verify the current criteria on the official BI Cares site before you rely on them.

Free Market Healthcare is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. We describe the program for educational purposes; the official source is BI Cares (bicares.com).

Medications Covered Under BI Cares

The program covers a portfolio of Boehringer Ingelheim brand-name drugs, and the list is updated periodically. Medications that have been covered include:

• Jardiance (empagliflozin) — used for type 2 diabetes and heart failure. Cash retail prices are commonly cited around $600 or more for a 30-day supply, though estimates vary by pharmacy and region.
• Ofev (nintedanib) — prescribed for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; a specialty drug whose retail cost can run into the thousands of dollars per month.
• Spiriva (tiotropium) — a long-acting inhaler for COPD, typically priced in the several-hundred-dollar range per month.
• Tradjenta (linagliptin) — a DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes.
• Stiolto Respimat — a combination inhaler for COPD maintenance.
• Pradaxa (dabigatran) — a blood thinner used to reduce stroke risk and treat clots.

Combination and other Boehringer Ingelheim products (for example Synjardy, Glyxambi, Trijardy XR, and Combivent Respimat) have also appeared on the covered list at various times. Because the formulary can change and drugs can move on or off the list, you should confirm your specific medication is currently included when you apply. The authoritative, up-to-date list lives on the official BI Cares website at bicares.com.

Eligibility Requirements

The BI Cares patient assistance program is designed for patients who lack adequate prescription-drug coverage and meet certain income thresholds. In general, to qualify you need to satisfy criteria along these lines:

• You are a legal U.S. resident.
• You have a valid prescription from a licensed U.S. healthcare provider and are being treated on an outpatient basis.
• You have little or no prescription-drug insurance for the medication. Patients with Medicaid coverage are generally not eligible, and Medicare Part D beneficiaries face special rules (see below).
• Your household income falls at or below the program’s threshold. Manufacturer PAPs frequently frame this around 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — for 2026 that works out to roughly $63,000 for a single person and about $132,000 for a family of four — but BI’s exact dollar limits may differ and are updated over time.

Because both the income limits and the covered-drug list change, verify the current eligibility criteria for your specific medication on the official BI Cares site rather than assuming last year’s numbers still apply. Hardship situations may be reviewed case by case.

Medicare Part D and Government Coverage

Medicare interacts with patient assistance in a specific way. Patients with active Medicare Part D drug coverage are often not eligible for the standard free-drug track, but Boehringer Ingelheim has at times offered assistance routes for Part D enrollees, including those who have reached the coverage gap. If you are on Medicare, it is also worth checking Medicare Part D Extra Help, the federal low-income subsidy that reduces prescription costs, and understanding how the modern Part D out-of-pocket cap limits your annual drug spending. If you are unsure whether your coverage makes you eligible, review the details on the official BI Cares site or ask your prescriber’s office to help you check.

How to Apply for the BI Cares Program

The application is prescriber-directed: it requires involvement from the physician who prescribes your Boehringer Ingelheim medication. Here is how it generally works.

Step 1: Start on the Official BI Cares Site

Begin at the official BI Cares website (bicares.com), where you can review current eligibility, confirm your medication is covered, and access the enrollment form. Third-party resources such as NeedyMeds.org and RxAssist.org also catalog the program, but the official site has the current forms and rules.

Step 2: Complete the Patient and Income Sections

Fill in your personal information, insurance status, and household income. You will typically need to provide proof of income, which can include a recent tax return, a Social Security benefits statement, or pay stubs covering a recent period.

Step 3: Physician Certification

Your prescriber completes and signs the medical section of the form, which includes the medication name, the prescribed regimen, and a statement of medical necessity. Many physician offices are familiar with manufacturer patient assistance programs and can process this quickly. Note that a pharmacist cannot complete the prescriber section.

Step 4: Submit and Wait

Submit the completed application as directed on the official site. Processing commonly takes a few weeks. Once approved, the medication is typically shipped to your prescriber’s office or your home, depending on the program’s current fulfillment process, at no charge to you.

What Happens After Approval

Approval is generally granted for a defined period, often up to 12 months. During that time you receive your medication at no cost through the program’s fulfillment process. Near the end of your enrollment period you will need to reapply by submitting updated income verification and a renewal form.

If your circumstances change during the year — for example, you gain insurance coverage or your income rises significantly — you are required to notify the program. Continuing to receive free medication when you no longer qualify can jeopardize future eligibility. Coordinating refills with your prescriber’s office and keeping regular appointments helps prevent gaps in your supply.

BI Cares vs. Copay Cards and Other Savings Options

The free-drug patient assistance program is not the only way to reduce costs on Boehringer Ingelheim products, and it is important not to confuse it with the company’s copay savings cards, which are an entirely separate program.

• Commercial copay savings cards: Boehringer Ingelheim offers copay savings cards for patients with commercial (private) insurance. These can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs on covered products. Critically, they cannot be used by anyone with government insurance — Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or VA coverage — and they are not the same as the free-medication patient assistance program.
• Pharmacy discount cards: Services like GoodRx and RxSaver negotiate lower cash prices at retail pharmacies. For a drug like Jardiance, discount-card prices are often still several hundred dollars a month, which remains expensive for many uninsured patients.
• State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs): Some states run their own programs that can be combined with other assistance. Check your state’s Medicaid office for details.
• Generic alternatives: Where available, generics offer the lowest ongoing cost, but many Boehringer Ingelheim products remain under patent protection with no generic yet.

For uninsured patients who meet the income requirements, the BI Cares Foundation program often provides the greatest savings because the medication itself is free. For commercially insured patients whose copays are high, the copay savings card is usually the better fit.

Tips for a Successful Application

Incomplete applications are a leading cause of delays and denials. These practical tips can help you avoid common pitfalls.

First, double-check that every section of the form is filled out. Missing signatures, especially from the prescribing physician, will cause the application to be returned. Second, include all required income documentation on the first submission; programs commonly accept tax returns, Social Security award letters, and recent pay stubs. Third, if you are transitioning between insurance plans, apply as soon as you lose coverage rather than waiting until your medication runs out, since processing takes time and planning ahead prevents dangerous gaps in treatment. Finally, keep copies of everything you submit so you can resubmit quickly if anything is lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare Part D patients use the BI Cares patient assistance program?

It depends. Patients with active Medicare Part D coverage are often not eligible for the standard free-drug track, though Boehringer Ingelheim has at times offered assistance routes for Part D enrollees, including those in the coverage gap (donut hole). Check the current rules on the official BI Cares site, and look into Medicare Part D Extra Help for federal subsidies on prescription costs.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most applications are processed within a few weeks of receipt. If additional documentation is needed, the timeline can extend. Submitting a complete application with all income verification upfront is the best way to avoid delays.

Is there a limit on how long I can stay enrolled?

Enrollment is typically approved in periods of up to 12 months. You can reapply at the end of each period as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. There is generally no lifetime cap on participation, subject to any product-specific changes.

What is the difference between BI Cares and a copay card?

The BI Cares Foundation patient assistance program provides free medication to eligible uninsured or under-insured patients with financial need. A copay savings card is a separate program that lowers out-of-pocket costs for people with commercial insurance and cannot be used by anyone with government coverage. They serve different groups of patients.

What if I am denied?

If your application is denied, the notification will explain the reason — common causes include income above the threshold or having active prescription-drug coverage. If your circumstances change, you can reapply. You may also want to explore other strategies for reducing healthcare costs.

Can my pharmacist help me apply?

Pharmacists can point you toward the program and provide information, but the application requires the prescribing physician’s signature — a pharmacist cannot complete the prescriber section. Some pharmacy staff can, however, help you fill out the patient portions of the form.

Taking the Next Step

Prescription drug costs should never force you to choose between your health and your financial stability. The BI Cares patient assistance program offers a genuine lifeline for eligible uninsured and under-insured patients who depend on Boehringer Ingelheim medications. Start on the official BI Cares site at bicares.com, confirm your medication and current eligibility, gather your income documents, coordinate with your physician, and submit a complete application as soon as possible. If you are exploring additional ways to lower your drug spending, our healthcare costs guide covers dozens of practical strategies that work alongside patient assistance programs.