Northeast Missouri Rural Health Network Prescription Drug Assistance Program

Consultations were made with several agencies having established programs, along with one site visit, prior to development. Policies and procedures were adapted to meet their needs. Patients participating in the federally qualified health center (FQHC) clinics’ indigent med program were transferred to the NMRHN PDAP to allow their staff more time for other duties.

A policy requiring payments be up-to-date prior to ordering refills became necessary and is now outlined on the initial program application, payment plan agreement and reminders sent with each monthly invoice. The FQHC covers the fees for their patients who are not able to pay.

An Emergency Medication Needs Fund was established to provide up to $50 per individual per year for prescriptions for acute conditions or medications needed during the initial period before the first dosage is received when samples are not available. Payments are made directly to the pharmacy. A United Way grant provided seed money for this fund. Private and organizational donations have been made to allow it to continue.

In order to develop a system for timely processing of applications, their office has been added to the route for the FQHC mail courier and weekly exchanges were established with the other clinics that have several patients participating in the program.

NMRHN PDAP uses the RxAssistPlus internet-based program, which provides access to each pharmaceutical manufacturer’s eligibility requirements, easy completion of the various enrollment forms, as well as tracking components. A free initial screening is conducted to determine if and how their staff might be able to assist patients. If prescriptions are ordered, a yearly family membership fee of $15, plus a $7.50 per medication per refill fee is charged to cover program costs.