Prescription Assistance During Tough Times

Written by Christina Ward, Redcross.org

The McKean-Potter Counties Chapter house.

American Red Cross worker Lisa Geitner of Bradford, Pa., has seen many people, young and old, benefit from her chapter's unique prescription assistance program. But some of the cases stand out in her memory a bit more than the others - like the college student who contacted the chapter for help in paying for his medication. His case was unusual, because most students have ample medical coverage.

"He had epilepsy and had to take a break from school for a while, because of his health condition," Geitner recalled. "This meant he could no longer receive school-sponsored medical benefits. But because he was 21 years old, he no longer qualified for his parents' health insurance either."

The Red Cross was able to help him out during this transition time, paying for his epilepsy medication for a month and helping him find a longer-term solution.

"Many people, like that student, run into hardship when they transition between medical insurance situations. That seems to be where this program often picks up - to help people who fall through the cracks," Geitner said.

Access to affordable prescription medications is important to everyone, but for people with life-threatening health conditions, it can be critical. In an unexpected financial emergency, inability to pay for medication can have serious consequences. The McKean-Potter Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, located in northern Pennsylvania, launched its Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) in 1997 as another way to help people in need.

"We had noticed that the chapter was receiving frequent inquiries from people seeking assistance to pay for their prescription medications," explained public relations coordinator Sarah Wick.

At about the same time, the chapter received a call from the Bradford Area Cluster of Methodist Churches. The group was looking for a community service project to sponsor and hoped to team with the Red Cross. "We proposed the idea of a program to help people in need of prescription assistance, and the Cluster readily agreed," Wick said.

The Methodist group provides funding, hosting regular fundraisers in the Bradford area - including an annual event each October on National Make a Difference Day. The application process and all client contact for EPAP is handled by the Red Cross. Through partnerships with local pharmacies, medications are available for the program at reduced costs.

To be eligible for assistance, an individual must be a local resident, and they must have verifiable need. EPAP provides one month's worth of medication for those who qualify.

"The program is designed to tide someone over in an emergency," said Geitner. As administrative assistant for programs and services at the chapter, she deals directly with most of the residents who apply for the program. "We don't have the funding to continue paying for medication longer than a month. But we do ask each recipient, 'How do you plan to pay for your prescription next month?' We work with them to find a long-term solution." There are several other medication-funding programs available to individuals or families with financial need, she added. The chapter helps out in such cases by supplying information and referring families to local doctors.

Geitner remembered a situation involving a very young girl who was living in foster care. The 5-year-old's difficult circumstances as a baby had led to severe growth problems. She was at the developmental level of a 3-year-old. A doctor prescribed a special nutritional supplement, but the foster parents could not afford it. The Red Cross worked out a one-month supply for the child, and helped the family find resources to obtain the supplement beyond that period.

Because Bradford is a fairly close-knit community, most of the recipients hear about EPAP through word of mouth from their neighbors and friends.

"I remember a case in which a woman was standing in line at pharmacy to pick up her arthritis medication, and she found out her coverage had run out," Wick recalled. "She couldn't afford the full price, and didn't know what to do. A man standing next to her in line, a stranger, said, 'You should go to the Red Cross. They can help.'"

The Methodist Church group brings publicity to the program by placing newspaper ads and hosting fundraisers, Wick added, and many local doctors are aware of the service and refer their patients. In all, EPAP provides assistance to between 30 and 40 people each year.

"The clients who come to us are usually scared and at their wits' end. With the high cost of prescriptions today, many of them are forced to choose between food and medication," Wick said. "The most rewarding benefit for me is seeing the relief that comes when we are able to get them the medications they need. It's great to go home at night knowing you've made someone else's day a little easier."

For more information about programs offered in your community, contact your local American Red Cross.

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