Utilization of medication-assistance programs for medically uninsured patients: one public teaching hospital's experience.

Although many pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide prescription medications to medically uninsured or underinsured patients, many health-care providers have not taken full advantage of the programs for a variety of reasons. In an effort to offset the escalating costs of medications for this group of patients, one public teaching facility developed a program to better utilize pharmaceutical patient-assistance programs. Resources are described, including Web sites and available publications, that may improve utilization of assistance programs. Eligibility criteria and enrollment procedures for specific drug reimbursement programs are included. Enrollment of medically underinsured or uninsured patients into medication-assistance programs can produce significant savings that benefit patients and institutions. Healthcare providers must examine all avenues to provide medications to the medically uninsured.