Concord Hospital - Prescription Assistance Program

What is it?

Concord Hospital’s Prescription Assistance Program helps low-income individuals or families access prescription medications that pharmaceutical companies offer free of charge to people who meet specific eligibility requirements. Since its inception in October 2000, the program has helped low-income families in 47 local communities receive more than $100 million in needed medications. The Prescription Assistance Program was funded through charitable contributions in its first two years of operation and is now a key community benefit service at Concord Hospital.

Who is it for?

The program is designed to help eligible uninsured and underinsured patients of all ages receive needed long-term prescription medications. To qualify, a patient must be a U.S. resident, live in or have a provider within Concord Hospital’s catchment area, and meet the income guidelines specific to the pharmaceutical companies (200 percent to 400 percent of federal poverty level). If a person meets the eligibility criteria, he/she may be able to receive free medications for his/her chronic conditions.

Why do they do it?

The program was developed to meet community health needs as identified by our regular Community Health Needs Assessment process. Although many individuals who cannot afford prescription medications may have qualified for prescription assistance from pharmaceutical companies, they did not apply because the paperwork was so cumbersome. By providing counselors to assist eligible individuals in applying for the appropriate programs, those in need can now access the necessary prescription medications. The impact has been tremendous.

Impact

To date, the program has obtained 167,359 medications for 7,215 patients.

Contact: Pamela Puleo
Vice President, Community Affairs
Telephone: 603-227-7000, ext. 3086
E-mail: ppuleo@crhc.org