# Presentation: 709920

## Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

*Southern Rural Access Program Spring Grantee Conference*
*April 24, 2003*

## Who is ByNet?
Why Medication Assistance?
Program Structure
Program Development & Implementation
Contact Information

- Why Medication Assistance?
- Program Structure
- Program Development & Implementation
- Contact Information

-  **What to Expect**

**Notes:**
OVERVIEW of who ByNet is

HOW NETWORK GOT INVOLVED w/ Medication Assistance

STRUCTURE of our Rx Program

PROVIDE KEY POINTS & LESSONS LEARNED regarding the network’s development and implementation of the program

HOW to contact me for further information or program materials

##  Who is ByNet?

**1997: **First Meeting
**1998: **Incorporated
**1999: **Rural Network Development Grant** **
**2000: **St. Mary Chamber of Health Coalition
**2002: **-501C3, nonprofit status
- 		     -Community Access Program Grant

**Notes:**
Local Providers

Mission to Improve Access to Healthcare

3 Years

Community Coalition

Nonprofit status in May 2002

Recently awarded CAP Grant this past Sept

## Board of Directors

**Two State Hospitals**
**Two Federally Qualified Health Centers**
**One Tribal Clinic**
**One For-Profit Rural Hospital**
**One Critical Access Hospital**
**One Regional Office of Public Health**
**One Social Service Organization**
**St. Mary Chamber of Health Coalition**

**Notes:**
...Rep. of ...

## Why Medication Assistance?

**Notes:**
Why did the network choose to implement a pharmaceutical asst. program?

## Chamber of Health

** *****LRHAP & SWLAHEC***
***Physician Recruiter**********

**Information & **
**Help Center**

**Telemedicine/**
**Education **

**Pharmaceutical **
**Assistance **

**Information & **
**Help Center**

**H.E.L.P**

**Community **
**Outreach**

**Library**
**Help Center**

** ****Transportation **
**Task Force**

**Chamber of Health**

**Primary/**
**Specialty Care**

**Consumer**
**Finance**

**Medication**

**Consumer**
**Education**

**Notes:**
Referred to earlier

Est. through joint effort w/ LRHAP

Chamber consists of > 70 Rep of F.B.     , Govt     , Ed.     , SS     , and HC entities of SMP

Fall of 2000: 
     -conducted community forums &
     -random surveys to identify LEADING BARRIERS to care in SMP

Coalition Identified 5 key areas of need...
     which include....

 To address consumer finance....the network established...

## H.A.B.I.T.S.

- 25.3% lack healthcare coverage
- 10.5% have no means of transportation
- 24.4% claim inability to purchase prescribed medication

**Notes:**
IN ADDITION the LRHAP provided ByNet with the Hlth Acc Barr in the St. Survey conducted by ULL Acadiana Hlth Info Ctr

SURVEY CONCLUDED  that of the (             ) residents of SMP....

## Program Structure

## National

**National**
**Faith-Based**
**Organization**

**Notes:**
Direct Partnerships include...

The national faith based org provides WEEKLY VOL

We are CONSISTENTLY working w/ drug man companies to provide & give PROGRAM FEEDBACK

We have MUTUAL REFERRAL relationship w/...

## Educational/Training Sites

**Educational/Training Sites**

**Assistance Sites**

**Outreach Site**

**Notes:**
INTRO:  If look at map of  SMP

1.  3 Main Assistance Sites, located at...

2.  3 Information & Hlp Ctr Educational Terminals
     -Hlth Ed Research
     -Referrals
     -Families/Friends & Ministries Training

3.  Outreach Site: National Faith-Based Organization-
    -gymnasium
    -avg 5 volunteers “4” MONTHLY RxOutreach Days

## Program Development&Implementation

## Over 30 Participating Physicians
3 FTE Coordinators 
Average 5 Volunteers/Week
Assisted Over 1500 Clients
Average 3 Prescriptions/Client

- Over 30 Participating Physicians
- 3 FTE Coordinators
- Average 5 Volunteers/Week
- Assisted Over 1500 Clients
- Average 3 Prescriptions/Client

**Today**

**Notes:**
In the PAST 6 MO., ByNet has GROWN from 5 participating physicians to OVER 30

3 FTE Coords include 1 coord provided by the CHIT. TRIBE & 2 AmeriCorps VOLUNTEERS

CMTY & NAT’L VOL AVG 5/WEEK

Have ASSISTED > 1500 Clients in SINCE MAY OF LAST YEAR w/ AVG of 3 SCRIPTS/EA

## Community Relationships

- Faith-Based Organizations
- Social Services
- Family Services
- Parish/County Government
- Local Business
- Economic Development Committees

**Notes:**
INTRO: “In addition to direct program partners, we have also developed relationships with:
    an additional 1. Faith Based Organization...

## Physician Relationships

- Education
- Develop Memorandum of Agreement
- Determine Program Logistics
- Referral Process
- Use of DEA#
- Application Drop Off & Pick Up
- Medication Distribution  & Tracking
- Don’t Expect Replication

**Notes:**
As I mentioned before, ByNet currently has more than 30 part phys...six mo ago, we had 6

We Found Physician Education just as important to the program’s success as client education
    # did not know the program EXISTED
    Did not know COST of prescribed medication
    Unaware of CLIENT NEED

-We have an MOA w/ e. phys.  ...Welcome to use our agreement as a template

-(ByNet’s Referral Pad for Visual)
-Who will have access to the physician’s dea #
-Drop off and Pick up times for applications to be signed
-How medications is distributed and tracked

## FQHC Pharmacy’s Share the Care Program

FQHC Pharmacy’s Discount Drug Pricing

Manufacturer’s Drug Card Programs

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

- FQHC Pharmacy’s Discount Drug Pricing
- Manufacturer’s Drug Card Programs
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

**Pharmaceutical Triage**

**Notes:**
The participating Federally Qualified Health Center has committed time to assist the network in developing a pharmaceutical patient triage 

If a client is a patient of the FQHC, we will first determine if they are eligible for the pharmacy’s Share the Care Program which will provide specific medications manufactured by () immediately at no cost

If the client is not eligible for STC staff/volunteers determine whether the patient is qualified for discount medication through the clinic’s pharmacy

If the patient is not able to be assisted at the pharmacy or is not a TAC patient, the vol/Staff will determine if the client is eligible for drug manufacturer’s discount card programs

If the patient is in need of life saving or life sustaining medication staff will determine if the med is offered through NORD

Last the volunteer or staff will search the RxAssist database to determine if assistance is available through PAP

## Don’t Miss 
the
Opportunity

**the**
**Opportunity**

**Notes:**

Last point I would like to leave you w/ today, it to not miss the opportunity

Residents who walk through your door for assistance w/ their medication may never walk through your doors for any other assistance or care.  

They may not be aware of programs or services available in your community

May believe they are not eligible for health care plans or be frustrated with the process

May need to hear one more time the importance of obtaining primary care, having a medical home or the importance of taking their medication as prescribed.

## Rx Assistance

**Chronic Disease Management/ Prevention                                        **-Informative Packets                                -Support Groups                                      -Community Classes
**Patient Responsibility ****                              **     -Fitness/Medication Compliance

** **
**SCREENINGS/ VACCINATIONS**
- -i.e. Blood Pressure Checks,       Diabetes Testing, Flu Shots

** ****ENROLLMENT**
**Health Plans                                            **-i.e. Medicaid, Medicare,                           QMB, LaChip, VA
**Assistance Programs****                                   **-i.e. Food for Seniors, Utility Assistance, Care for the Caregiver

** **
**AWARENESS/  ADVOCACY**
- -Community Involvement/Ownership,             -State Partnerships,                                        -Policy Change

**Rx Assistance**

**Notes:**
Every client seeking pharmaceutical assistance from ByNet will be provided Disease Specific Informative Packets, encourage them to enroll in support groups, if applicable and emphasize the importance of nutrition and medication/fitness compliance

Each will be screened for potential programs which can assist them in obtaining a healthier life.  Uninsured clients are screened to determine if they are eligible for...

They will be encouraged to attend community events where ByNet Community Health Teams are present.  Community Health Teams are comprised of professional hlth care volunteers which provide free screenings and vaccinations at a variety of community events

Last...is to not miss the opportunity to use statistics collected and understanding of the need and programs to est. cmty involvement and create ownership, develop st. partnerships and use your experiences to create policy change

##  Contact Information

**Michelle Lemming**
- Executive Director
- 1111 Weber Street
- Franklin, LA
- 70538
- (337) 828-5638
- (337) 828-3793 F
*mlemming@bynet-la.org*

**Notes:**
I will share any program materials that may benefit any community wishing to establish a Rx Program