NeedyMeds’
Patient Advocate News Helping you and your clients access medications and health care.
FROM THE EDITOR
Getting the Most out of NeedyMeds
We are really excited about things that are going on at NeedyMeds and are aiming to publish Patient Advocate News monthly. We also have a new look! Each issue will be a little shorter, but we hope that its more frequent publication will mean you will be kept more in the loop with all things NeedyMeds. We have had an overwhelming response to our Spanish version of our website, and we continually set new monthly records for our drug discount card, which was used 23,162 times in August 2011 and helped save cardholders $753,605.58 in prescription drug costs.
Not sure where to start using NeedyMeds? Wondering how to find certain information? In this new section we’ll feature a particular NeedyMeds resource to help you find the information you need.
If you’re excited about our impact on the world of patient assistance, then join our more than 1,600 Facebook friends, bookmark our website, www.needymeds.org, and stay tuned! Vikki Sloviter Editor
The Drug Coupons page is one of the most visited on the NeedyMeds website. A variety of drug coupons can be found for free offers or substantial savings on brand name medicine. Examples are printable coupons or rebates for a specific dollar or percentage savings, free samples or 7-30 day trials, and savings cards, some of which can save consumers hundreds of dollars a year off their medications or co-pays. There are two ways to find coupons on www.needymeds.org. One is by clicking on the Drug Coupons link, which opens a page with all the coupons listed for brand name medications as well as over-the-counter products. They are listed in alphabetical order with the expiration date and the offer. The “Local Pharmacy Coupon” link directs you to the manufacturer website where the coupon can be printed or, in some instances, an online questionnaire or registration needs to be completed before the offer can be accessed. Some offers may require a physician’s signature or are for refills of current prescriptions. Free information kits or newsletters about medications may be the offer, but a free trial or an unadvertised coupon is included. The other way to find drug coupons is through the Brand Name Drugs link, which lists all the medications that have Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). A green Coupon icon appears next to the medications that also have a coupon available. Clicking on the icon brings you to the Drug Coupons page with the coupon. Whether you’re searching for some assistance with a medication co-pay, wanting to save $2 off an over-the-counter product, or interested in trying a free sample, www.needymeds.org can be your drug coupons information source. We also appreciate hearing from consumers or manufacturers if there is a coupon available that we don’t have on our website. Please email us at coupons@needymeds.org.
In this Issue
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NeedyMeds News & Updates Facts
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
Spotlight on Advocate Joanna Smith
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Meet NeedyMeds’ Damaris Mercedes
OCTOBER 2011
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Drug Discount Card and PAP Tracker
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PAP Updates Staff Listing
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News & Updates Did you know we offer FREE webinars?
NeedyMeds on the News
During a webinar, you will learn how to navigate the NeedyMeds website most efficiently to help yourself and others. You will be presented with an overview of the many different resources available on our website. Some of this information can get overlooked, so we will go over each section of the website to teach you when it makes most sense to use each one.
NeedyMeds has been in the news a lot lately! Our own Elizabeth Messenger was interviewed for a local television station for a segment on copay assistance cards. Click on the video link below to learn more about this resource and to see Elizabeth!
The next NeedyMeds webinars are: October 11, 2011 @ 10am ET October 27, 2011 @ 3pm ET
http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=RG1m9aVp-8s
Visit www.needymeds.org to register. Can’t attend either of those dates? We can tailor a webinar for your organization at your convenience. Email Elizabeth@needymeds.org for more information.
Upcoming Conferences The National Association Free Clinics is holding its 6th annual national summit for members of the free clinic community to become energized, learn more about free clinic issues, and to network October 17-19, 2011, Charlotte, NC. Click for details: http://freeclinics.us/event/2011-nafc-annual-summit We’ll be holding the Saturday workshop on “Solving the Medications Maze” at the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants, November 3-5, 2011, Berkeley, CA. Click here to register or view conference details: http://nahac.memberlodge.com/events.html?eventId=353903&EventViewMode=EventDetails
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Just facts PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
1. NeedyMeds offers more than 719 drug coupons for 687 medications.
2. There are more than 4,185 drugs and dosages on our Brand Name Drug list.
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3. We have more than 294 PAP applications available for download on our site. Page 2
Spotlight On Advocates Joanna Smith of Healthcare Liaison and National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants Vikki: Joanna, thanks so much for talking with me about what you do as a health care advocate. Tell us how you became interested in health care advocacy. Joanna: I worked as a hospital discharge planner, and discovered the plans didn’t always help patients. I wondered what would happen if there was a person who could follow a patient and help navigate care after discharge. That was the idea behind Healthcare Liaison (HCL), the first organization I founded. Health care advocacy has become so focused on seniors and aging parents, but there is an equal need for all ages, babies and young adults, too. The concept is that we work with infants and their families all the way through to seniors. Everyone gets overwhelmed and may need an advocate’s help and guidance. What is Healthcare Liaison (HCL) focusing on now? HCL is doing a lot of very exciting things. I started the company in 2005. In 2007 I added a credentialing program to train both medically trained professionals and consumers in health care advocacy. I am also working on teaching an intro
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
certificate program at a nearby university in 2012.
How to hire a health care advocate Joanna says: Go to the NAHAC website and do a geographic search. You can read profiles of people doing the work. Interviewing an advocate helps consumers decide if the advocate is a good fit (Can I trust them? Will they listen to me?). Beyond that, advocates should have a written agreement with clients that spell out fees, how they work, emergency info, etc. Advocates should have a written plan of what needs to be accomplished so everyone knows the goals. Advocates should also carry malpractice insurance and should provide references. Another project is working with the School of Public Health at Berkeley as part of a team putting together a grant proposal for nonprofits to do health care advocacy. Healthcare Liaison is a social entrepreneurship, which means a percentage of our profits go to the Grameen Foundation that provides microloans in developing countries. It’s a way to effect health care delivery worldwide. Your other job is as Co-Founder and President of National
OCTOBER 2011
Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC). Tell us about that organization. NAHAC was founded in July 2009. We wanted to form an organization that was centered on health care advocacy but sought to join people from different backgrounds and viewpoints in one organization. NAHAC involves people who do direct advocacy, are interested in it, are in academia and teaching and writing about it, or are on the policy and legislative side, which will become significant down the road in health policy. NAHAC is a table with many places set. We now have 212 members all over the country and recently submitted an application for 501(c)3 with the goal to provide education to consumers and health care advocacy professionals. NAHAC is hosting a conference in November. What are some details of the conference? We are hosting our 3rd annual conference in Berkeley, CA, November 3-5, 2011. We will have a “public access” morning where the general public can attend and sit in on case studies and workshops for $25, without having to pay for or attend the
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Spotlight continues entire conference (go to www.nahac.com and click on the event in Berkeley “Knowledge, Compassion and Solutions” conference). Our readers can register as a public access member or register for the entire conference. In our case studies workshops, we present a particular scenario and have a medical person comment on the medical aspects that are relevant to that scenario. We also have an advocate that comments on the advocacy aspects, and we have a dialogue among all participants on different actions to take in that given case study. The case studies will include a breast cancer patient, a pediatric case and aging parent. The goal of each case study is to look at a model and gain a greater understanding of the complicated world of primary care physicians, and how different patient representatives can best interact with each other. Do you have a presentation on helping the uninsured or lowincome person? NeedyMeds will be at our conference presenting a workshop called “Solving the Medications Maze: Discount Cards, Patient Assistance Programs and Resources for Consumers.” Attendees/advocates will hear about NeedyMeds as a resource in helping clients.
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
As a health care advocate, what changes and trends have you seen in the field over the past decade? Are you optimistic that there is a growing role and need for health care advocates? There are more people going into advocacy. There is a greater need for people to do this kind of work as nonprofit. More advocates are realizing that their work needs to be low fee or pro bono. Advocacy is an access question; it’s a fundamental question. How can advocates best use the Internet and technology? Since there is no licensure in any state in the country, we are at the beginning of a profession that is wide open. We’re at the wild and wooly stage where many things are possible. One of the things I teach in my course is how to use the Internet well and not to get overwhelmed with the amount of information available. I teach advocates how to know what’s reliable and where to get current, accurate information to help their clients. I think social media, support groups, and LinkedIn groups contribute to a phenomenon that a group is wiser and smarter than any one individual in that group. We can use everyone’s knowledge to share resources with a wider group of people.
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Finally, what advice or direction can you give to our readers who may be exploring the idea of becoming a professional health care advocate? The best thing to do is to get as much training as you can (continuing education, credentialing programs, etc.). Building a community of people that you work with as an advocate is most important. Good health care advocates have a team of people behind them, supporting them (doctors, nurses, PTs, pharmacists). Advocacy is a team sport; it’s not a solo practice! To learn more about Healthcare Liaison go to: www.healthcareliaison.com or call 510-704-8476. For more information on the NAHAC, visit www.nahac.com or email admin@nahac.com.
We have added two new Disease Resource Pages to the NeedyMeds website! • •
Raynaud’s Syndrome Resource Page: A Collaborative Project with the Raynaud’s Association Lymphoma Resource Page: A Collaborative Project with the Lymphoma Research Foundation
These pages are designed as a "onestop shopping" concept for those with a particular disease or condition. They have information about financial assistance, as well as links to PAPs for medications people may take who have the condition. Partnering with disease-specific, non-profit organizations allows NeedyMeds to create a comprehensive resource for a specific condition.
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Meet NeedyMeds Damaris Mercedes NeedyMeds’ bilingual helpline representative Vikki: Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed for PAN. You joined us in November 2010, so tell us about your background and how you stumbled upon NeedyMeds. Damaris: I have worked in a variety of industries, my favorites being customer service, computer, office and medical. Since I love computers, I am taking online college courses for IT. I also love music, singing and dancing, which are natural for me, coming from a family of performing artists. After being laid off from my last position, an opportunity became available at NeedyMeds for a bilingual helpline representative. This position has given me the possibility to combine all of my favorites into one. Except that I can’t sing and dance while I am on the phone! Vikki: Did you see an increase in Spanish callers and emails after the NeedyMeds website was translated into Spanish? And what kind of need there is for NeedyMeds to be available to the Spanish-speaking population? Damaris: Considering all the changes that have and are occurring in health care, the valuable information we have on the NeedyMeds website is essential to everyone no matter what ethnicity. I recently read a report that the Hispanic population is the largest growing population in the United States, doubling its size in the past 15 years. More than 80% obtain their health information via media resources, so having an online health resource in Spanish puts NeedyMeds in a position to make a significant impact on the reduction of Hispanic health disparities. The Spanish website provides important information that is quickly and easily accessible and that points consumers in the right direction. Yes, there has been and increase in Spanish callers, PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
but it takes time for the word to get out. We continually expand our outreach efforts. Vikki: You also help with the databases, phone calls, emails, etc., and told me you’d like to learn how to do everything so you can help out wherever it’s needed. You really have a “can do” attitude! Damaris: At NeedyMeds we are here to help. We want to help. Having this "can do" attitude helps us enjoy more what we do and achieve our goals more easily, which is helping people find assistance programs that will help them afford their medications and health care costs. Vikki: Since you’ve been working at NeedyMeds, what kinds of changes have you seen, and what ideas might you have brewing that would make NeedyMeds even better? Damaris: Since I've been here I have seen growth, improvements, and innovations like the NeedyMeds Spanish website. I would like to train more in outreach and communicating this vital health information to the Hispanic community. Vikki: Finally, you have four teenagers. I have four kids, too, though they’re younger than yours. What do I have to look forward to? Damaris: Yes, I am blessed with four great kids. My oldest just left to college last weekend, which is a huge accomplishment that I am very proud of. My best advice to you—and to all parents—is to enjoy and cherish every moment you can with them. Time passes so fast and by the time you know it, they are grown and doing their own thing. And, if you haven't started saving for college, start now!
OCTOBER 2011
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NeedyMeds Resources Our Drug Discount Card: Print, Clip and Save
With the NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card you can save up to 80% off the price of your prescription medications. The card may be used by those without insurance and by those who decide not to use their insurance - for example if the drug is not covered under their plan, the copay or deductible is high, the cap has been reached, or if they are in the donut hole. The free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card is accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies, including major chains such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and at regional chains and local stores. There are no income, insurance or residency requirements, and no fees or registration process needed to use the card. One card can be shared with friends and family members, or they can print their own. The card can also be used for over-the-counter medications and medical supplies if written on a prescription blank, and pet prescription medicines purchased at a pharmacy. The card is active immediately and never expires. Every time the card is used, NeedyMeds receives a small amount to keep our website up-to-date and growing.
PAPTracker PAPTracker is web-based software that was developed to help streamline and simplify the process involved in applying to patient assistance programs. It uses all the most current information contained in our NeedyMeds PAP database. PAPTracker is ideal for clinics, community health centers, hospitals and other groups that serve clients/ patients that need access to prescription medications, but may have challenges paying for them. PAPTracker retains commonly entered information, and prompts the user to enter specific information needed for the assistance program’s application. PAPTracker prints the program’s specific application, and the user can save clients’ information to apply to other programs and to complete refills etc. NeedyMeds has some limited grant funds available to help qualified small clinics ready to move from paper applications to this software solution. More information on this great resource is on the NeedyMeds website and here: http://www.needymeds.org/indices/paprxtracker.htm PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
OCTOBER 2011
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PAP UPDATES
NM STAFF
All 9 of Astella’s Access and Stock Replacement Programs: applications must now be completed online by a health care professional (Windows IE-compatible only. No paper applications accepted anymore). Eligibility guidelines have changed for all programs. Ranexa Connect PAP: new English and Spanish applications FerrerCARES has a new application. Glenwood Compassionate Drug Program has a new application.
RICHARD SAGALL, MD President richsagall@needymeds.org JAYE VANDUSSEN Vice President jaye@needymeds.org
BILL KYROUZ Research Associate bkyrouz@needymeds.org
ROBERTA DOWNEY Software Sales Manager roberta@needymeds.org
PEGGY PEPLER Call Center Representative peggy@pap-apps.org
VIKKI SLOVITER PAN Editor vikki@needymeds.org
DAMARIS MERCEDES Bilingual Helpline Representative damaris@needymeds.org
ALANNA FLANAGAN ELIZABETH MESSENGER Call Center Assistant Supervisor Outreach & Education Manager alanna@pap-apps.org elizabeth@needymeds.org
Safety Net Foundation has new forms. Shire Cares has an updated application. Aton Pharma PAP has closed. Novantrone PAP: drug was discontinued Cenestin PAP closed. ProStraCARE PAP has a new application. Salix Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program has a new application.
CYNTHIA FOOTE Call Center Supervisor cynthia@pap-apps.org
JULIE O’MEARA Call Center Representative julieomeara@pap-apps.org
KAREN GRENHAM Call Center Assistant karen@needymeds.org
SAMUEL RULON-MILLER Research Associate samuel@needymeds.org
ROBIN HOFFMAN Database & Research Manager robin@needymeds.org
TONYA WHITE Research Associate tonya@needymeds.org
Meda PAP combined with the Alaven PAP. All of the medications from the Alaven PAP were added to the Meda Program except Androl-50, which is no longer available on a program.
www.needy meds.org INFO@NEEDYMEDS.ORG
We have added the following PAPs to our NeedyMeds database:
CALL US 978-281-6666
Patient Access Network Foundation
FAX US 206-260-8850
Genentech Access to Care Foundation (Zelboraf)
WRITE US PO Box 219 Gloucester, MA 01931
Oncaspar Co-Pay Assistance Program
NeedyMeds, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or health care costs. The information at NeedyMeds is available anonymously and free of charge. NeedyMeds does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender or sexual orientation.
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
OCTOBER 2011
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