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Clara Barton Hospital - Patient Assistance Program
Through the Clara Barton Medical Clinic, a rural health clinic operated by Clara Barton Hospital, patients are assisted in obtaining medications that would be otherwise not obtainable and available for them. This program is designed to assist the uninsured and/or the underinsured patient to obtain medications at no charge to that patient. One employee is designated as the administrator of this program and functions as the liaison between the patient and pharmaceutical companies. Nearly 30 pharmaceutical firms participate in this program. There are fairly stringent guidelines for qualification in this program, which involve the income of the patient and the number of persons in the household. The paperwork to satisfy the guidelines can be onerous and confusing to the patient; therefore, the Patient Assistant employee ensures that the required paperwork is completed in entirety, and that frequent and ongoing contact is maintained with patients to facilitate timely refill requirements in order to prevent interruption of vital medications.
What is it?
Through the Clara Barton Medical Clinic, a rural health clinic operated by Clara Barton Hospital, patients are assisted in obtaining medications that would be otherwise not obtainable and available for them. This program is designed to assist the uninsured and/or the underinsured patient to obtain medications at no charge to that patient. One employee is designated as the administrator of this program and functions as the liaison between the patient and pharmaceutical companies. Nearly 30 pharmaceutical firms participate in this program. There are fairly stringent guidelines for qualification in this program, which involve the income of the patient and the number of persons in the household. The paperwork to satisfy the guidelines can be onerous and confusing to the patient; therefore, the Patient Assistant employee ensures that the required paperwork is completed in entirety, and that frequent and ongoing contact is maintained with patients to facilitate timely refill requirements in order to prevent interruption of vital medications.
Who is it for?
Uninsured/underinsured patients whose diagnosis/treatment require medication they are unable to afford.
Why do they do it?
The Mission Statement of Clara Barton Hospital is as follows: Clara Barton Hospital and its affiliates are dedicated to meeting the health care needs and improving the qualify of life for the community we serve. We are deeply committed to serving all in need within our resources. To ensure patients continue to receive their prescriptions is a tremendous step towards meeting the needs of our patients and improving their quality of life. When the application process proves too cumbersome or confusing or the cost of medication is prohibitive, the Patient Assistance Program provides the help so needed to deliver comprehensive, high-quality and compassionate services to the population we serve. The impact of preventive medicine is evidenced by fewer visits to the emergency department, fewer hospital admissions and increased peace of mind for our patients and their families.
Impact
To date, 130 persons have been assisted with this program. Each patient averages a minimum of two prescriptions, which translates to a cost savings in the range of $100 to $1,000 per month.
Contact: Jan Hipp, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Telephone: 620-653-2114
E-mail: jhipp@clarabarton.hpmin.com
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