- Posted
- December 18, 2007
Paperwork issues surround prescription assistance programs
A new Plain Dealer article explores the paperwork required for the prescription assistance programs offered by the major drug companies. (Source: "Drug plans for needy are helpful, but paperwork a headache," Dec. 16, 2007.) While the programs do offer free prescription drugs to those who qualify, "clinics catering to the poor and uninsured have found themselves shouldering the expense of filing the reams of paperwork required on behalf of clients." For example, Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland hired a second pharmacy technician two years ago to handle the paperwork load of about 500 applications a week. The clinic obtained about $3.5 million worth of medications last year and expects an even higher volume this year.
Part of the paperwork problem results from each drugmaker requiring different forms, while "some companies want recent pay stubs; others will accept last year's tax return, a bank statement or a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming the patient is disabled. At least one pharmaceutical company keeps its guidelines a secret. People send in the forms and hope for the best, according to Kris Gualtier, a pharmacy technician at the Free Clinic. Some pharmaceutical companies want the documents mailed in; others prefer faxes. None allow electronic filing. Some require people to requalify for the programs every 90 days, while others wait a year before verifying if a patient still meets income guidelines."
According to Ken Johnson, senior vice president for communications and public affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, federal antitrust laws prevent companies from using a standard form.