Waukesha Memorial Hospital - Waukesha Family Practice Center Patient Assistance Program

What is it?

The Patient Assistance Program helps individuals obtain needed medications that they would be unable to afford otherwise. The Waukesha Family Practice Center is a Family Medicine Residency that provides care to patients on a sliding scale, according to their ability to pay. The residency and clinic are a partnership between Waukesha Memorial Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Who is it for?

Uninsured and underinsured residents of the Waukesha community.

Why do they do it?

Many Waukesha Family Practice Center patients struggle with a variety of financial constraints, often having to choose between paying their rent, buying food, or paying for their medications. Without their medications, many people find it difficult to continue working and meeting the daily needs of their families. Many drug companies offer medications at a reduced cost or even free, but the process to apply can be very complicated. Providing medications for the underserved in the community often helps to stabilize or improve their medical condition. This is a tremendous benefit to patients’ physical and mental well-being and can result in fewer clinic visits, emergency department visits, and hospital stays.

Impact

In 2012, this program helped 141 patients acquire 693 90-day supplies of medications that would be out of their financial reach without this program. Three main disease states make up a large proportion of the patient assistance population: 25 percent are diabetic, 19 percent are being medicated for high cholesterol, and 20 percent are asthmatic. A typical insulin cost for a diabetic patient could be more than $2,800 annually. The program processes paperwork that is sent to 25 pharmaceutical companies for more than 70 brand name and generic medications. In 2012, the program provided more than $312,000 of medications to patients in need; 2013 is expected to exceed that amount.

Contact: Joan San Filippo
Prescription Assistance Advocate
Telephone: 262-928-7304
E-mail: joan.sanfilippo@phci.org