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PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 1
Helping you and your clients access medications and health care.
Get the Most out of NeedyMedsNot sure how to start using NeedyMeds? Wondering how to find certain information? In this section we’ll feature a particular NeedyMeds resource to help you find the information you need.
In this Issue
NeedyMeds’
2-3 4-5 6 7 8-9
Patient Advocate News
The NeedyMeds Facebook Page has grown tremendously in
the last year into a worthwhile tool for patients, advocates and
medical professionals alike. The NeedyMeds staff posts
regularly to the page, with news and updates on all of the
databases and information available on our website. By
“liking” our Page you can also stay up to date on happenings
in the office, stories of NeedyMeds in the news, and read
insightful tips from our staff on how to get the most out of
NeedyMeds. New features to our website are also spotlighted
regularly, keeping our fans updated on all the latest resources
we have available.
Our Facebook Page is also a great way to communicate with
our staff. You can comment on any of our posts and join the
discussion with other patients, health care professionals, and
advocates about the programs and resources we have
available. Or start a new discussion and ask a question
directly on our wall about anything NeedyMeds—you will get
a quick response directly from a staff member.
If you have any questions or comments about Facebook or our
other social media outreach efforts, feel free to send an email
FROM THE EDITORCan you believe it is 2012?
If you’ve been reading our newsletter and visiting our website, then you know we had a really active and exciting 2011, and we expect 2012 to be just as wonderful! We are working on our website to continually bring you the most important and current patient assistance information in an easy-to-read and enjoyable way, our newsletter continues to feature interesting and important people in the world of patient assistance, and our drug discount card is making headlines as it is being implemented in states across the country.
We love to hear about the impact that NeedyMeds has made in patient assistance, and we are happy and humbled when we receive emails like this:
I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I printed off a coupon online today and instead of paying $96 for antibiotics I only had to pay $45!
I donated $10 to Paypal just now, can you please send me two laminated cards? One for me and one for my wife. Thanks again! — Jim Healy
What a nice way to start a new year.
Vikki Sloviter
10Spotlight onCBI/Advanstar
NeedyMeds News & Updates
Drug Discount Card
PAP Tracker Tips & Updates
Meet NM’s Julie Kautz Mills
PAP Updates & NM Staff List
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 2
light on...CBI/AdvanstarInterview with Sharon Langan, Senior Program Manager, Patient Assistance and Access Programs Conferences
Spot
Vikki: Hi Sharon, and thanks for talking with us about the upcoming annual Patient Assistance and Access Programs Conference in Baltimore, March 6-7, 2012. First tell us a little bit about yourself.
Sharon: Hi Vikki and thank you. I am a Senior Program Manager with CBI/Advanstar Communication’s PharmSciences Group. For the past nine years I have been fortunate to produce CBI’s Patient Assistance and Access Programs Conference, in addition to several other events tailored to bio/pharmaceutical executives. I am charged with researching topics and understanding the latest trends and regulatory issues impacting the industry. I work closely with industry advisors and thought leaders to develop the content and conference agenda, which serve as the underpinning of our events.
Vikki: NeedyMeds is chairing a Safety Net Resources Track this year at the conference. Please tell our readers about this new component.
Sharon: We are thrilled to be offering the Safety Net Resources Track at the 2012 conference! In 2011 we launched the Patient Access track, aimed to address the unique challenges of serving the underinsured population. Now in 2012 we are pleased to expand this with the addition of the Safety Net Resources Track, which recognizes the vital role of safety net providers in our conference and in our overall health system.
Vikki: I’ve always enjoyed the conference’s speakers. Can you tell us about a few of the ones at this year’s conference?
Sharon: Our keynote speaker is Jeffrey Lewis, a recognized national leader in the health care industry and one of the most progressive thought leaders in the health care and prescription drug coverage sector. He is passionate about caring for the uninsured and the medically vulnerable, with an eye to creating new models and solutions for prescription drug solutions.
Dr. Bruce Wolf, of Hope Beyond Hope, will address the topic of a universal PAP application, which always generates debate. And, Tracy Ott Foster, President of the Lash Group, brings tremendous thought leadership and insights to the hot topic of the impact of health care reform. She will address the evolving payer landscape and illustrate the future of patient access solutions. Her interactive session is a hit with attendees.
Vikki: What are some other highlights of the conference?
Sharon: We’re seeing some “gamechangers” in the area of patient assistance, and are pleased that the conference agenda reflects these important issues. Highlights include a keynote from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which as the regulatory arm of the U.S. Health and Human Services, stands to reshape the health care landscape as we know it. Also, as major budgetary crises unfold at the state level, the conference is pleased to have an in-depth state update from PhRMA.
Vikki: Conferences are often very expensive to attend. Does CBI offer any kind of scholarship or financial assistance for small nonprofits?
Sharon: We do! The conference offers patient advocates and free clinic PAP managers the Attendance Assistance Program, which includes a reduced admission fee and hotel accommodations of only $995.
We’re also excited to provide a special NeedyMeds promo code that saves attendees an extra $100. Just enter Promo code: UPU862, when registering online or mention it when registering. For those who qualify for the Application Assistance Program and use the code, they will pay only $895 to attend. To learn more about this program and the qualifications, we ask that folks reach out to Roberts Apse at [email protected].
Continued on next page
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 3
light cont’dSpotWe also checked in with the Safety Net Resources Track Chair, our own Richard Sagall, NeedyMeds’ President.
Vikki: NeedyMeds has been attending this conference for several years, and now we are chairing a special track. Tell us a little bit about the reason for the new track, the content and some of the speakers that will be involved.
Rich: We’re thrilled to be a part of the conference this year and to have the opportunity to provide information on these much-needed resources to the advocate community. We hope that this track will attract more advocates to the conference and bring their valuable perspective to the PAP landscape.
NeedyMeds has a unique position within the PAP community as we work with both PAP managers and advocates to maximize the resources our organization is able to offer. We understand the importance of the role of the PAP manager to maintain and improve the programs, as well as the role of advocates to actually help patients apply to these programs in the real world.
We worked with Sharon at CBI and helped put together a great program. Topics our track will cover include:
-‐ Pharma’s View and Goals of PAPs
-‐ Safety-Net Resources for your Patients -‐ Cost-Effective Tools and Technology That
Can Streamline Operations-‐ Navigating Patients Through Changing
Insurance and Enrolling in Financial Support Programs
-‐ Evolving-Emerging Professional Field for Patient Advocates
-‐ Improving Medication Philanthropy and Health Coverage
In addition to NeedyMeds staff, including myself, moderating various sessions, we’re very excited about this track’s speakers. We are going to hear from some distinguished PAP and Safety Net Program managers.
Members from the advocate community, such as Howard Houghton, who has many years of experience navigating the assistance available for the needy community, will also be well represented. Also speaking will be Sarah Davis, from the University of Wisconsin’s advocate certification program, the only one of its kind in the country.
Overall, we’re hoping there’ll be some lively dialogue and that it will be educational for those involved. For more information, visit http://www.cbinet.com/conference/agenda/pc12127.
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 4
1. NeedyMeds offers more than 798 drug coupons for 761 medications.
2. There are more than 4,184 drugs and dosages on our Brand Name Drug list.
3. We have more than 294 PAP applications available for download on our site.
Justfacts3
News & UpdatesDid you know we offer FREE webinars?
During a NeedyMeds webinar, you will learn how to navigate the NeedyMeds website most efficiently to help yourself and others and 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.
The next NeedyMeds webinars are:Thursday, January 5, 2012 @ 2 p.m. (ET)Wednesday, January 18, 2012 @ 11 a.m. (ET)
Click on the date you’d like to attend to register online or visit www.needymeds.org. Can’t attend either of those dates? We can tailor a webinar for your organization at your convenience. Email [email protected] for more information.
We also now offer special-topic webinars! See page 5 for details on this new exciting feature.
What We’ve Been Working On
Our staff has been busy updating our website and we are pleased to announce that we have enhanced our Advocates Page in an effort to improve the way we work with advocates. This fresh page has content that aims to increase advocate awareness of how NeedyMeds can supplement and aid their work with clients. Visit our updated page now: http://www.needymeds.org/indices/advocates.htm
A new addition to the website is the News & Press page, which can be accessed from the left navigation under “More from NeedyMeds.” Here readers can get background info on NeedyMeds and view press releases, news articles and videos: http://www.needymeds.org/indices/news_press.htm
Our new Director of Outreach, Julie Kautz Mills, has hit the ground running. In the last month she has been busy talking to many groups in Lynn, MA to increase awareness of our resources and to roll out CAMP—Community Access to Medication Program. See the interview with Julie on pages 6-7 to learn more. We hope to recreate this pilot program in cities throughout the country.
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 5
News & Updates
In addition to the bi-monthly NeedyMeds webinars that present an overview of our website, we now offer an array of webinars that offer various educational opportunities for health care professionals, advocates and patients. Special-topic webinars are moderated by a NeedyMeds staff member and feature a special guest presenter for each topic. Each webinar includes a presentation, followed by a Q & A, where participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Our first special-topic webinar, “PAP Software — Automating the Process,” is scheduled for January 24th at 2PM Eastern Time. Register online here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/878967712
Webinar Description:Do you currently process many PAP applications a day for patients who come into your facility? Has the workload become overwhelming? It may be time to think about getting PAP software.
Roberta Downey, NeedyMeds Software Sales Manager, will present an overview on what to consider when looking into automating the PAP application process.
She’ll cover such topics as the mechanics of setting it up and what can be automated without compromising the process and patient-interactions.
NEW! Special-Topic Webinars
NeedyMeds in the NewsNeedyMeds continues to be in the news. Here are a few recent mentions:
NeedyMeds free drug discount card nowin California:http://prn.to/rZnr0B
and Lowell, MA:http://bit.ly/u5qjPt
NeedyMeds expands:http://bit.ly/se8Zt7
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 6
Drug Discount Card
With the free 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.
Our NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card is accepted at more than 61,000 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 bought 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.
Print, Clip and Save:
Drug Card Regulations
NM0903150000
New regulations state that users of the drug discount card must be able to have easy access to information regarding the card. Cards need to provide a toll-free number and/or a website address to answer questions about its use. NeedyMeds created both a toll-free number for users to call when they need additional card information, and a website that answers the most frequently asked questions. The website, www.drugdiscountcardinfo.com (also www.drugdiscountcardinfo.org) displays no affiliation with any organization and was meant to be a generic website to answer FAQs on the card.
This regulation means that organizations that form a drug discount card partnership with NeedyMeds can either have their own toll-free number and/or website with FAQs for card users to access, or they can opt to print the NeedyMeds toll-free number and www.drugdiscountcardinfo.com on their cards.
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 7
PAPTrackerPAPTracker is HIPAA-compliant, web-based software that streamlines and simplifies the management of patient assistance programs. PAPTracker is ideal for clinics, community health centers, hospitals and other groups that serve clients/patients that need access to prescription medications but cannot afford them. PAPTracker eliminates handwritten applications and repetitive entry of client and doctor information. It populates manufacturers' applications using stored patient and prescriber information and automatically creates refill reminders. PAPTracker always uses the most current information contained in our NeedyMeds PAP database. PAPTracker also provides over 75 patient, activity and demographic reports.
NeedyMeds has limited grant funds available to help qualified small clinics ready to move from paperapplications to this software solution. More information is on the NeedyMeds website and here: http://www.needymeds.org/indices/paptracker.htm
Coming soon . . . new and improved in 2012!
Here’s a head’s up about a great new feature that many of you have asked for: on-line document storage.
Go to the Admin à Configuration Options drop-down menu and scroll to the last entry under Other Options and you will see this:
You will be able to add correspondence, state and federal benefits notification, income verification, and other documentation to your patient’s file. It will work the same way as adding attachments to e-mail.
How will you know when Patient Documentation Storage is active? Look for Notification on your PAPTracker menu bar — click and follow the instructions.
Speaking of great features, if you distribute samples, PAPTracker has a simple but effective Sample Inventory and Dispensing module. Email [email protected] if you’re interested in learning more.
To our more than 70 PAPTracker customers, best wishes for a joyous new year!
Tracker Tips & Updates
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 8
Julie Kautz Mills
Meet Our...
NeedyMeds’ Director of Outreach
Vikki: Welcome to NeedyMeds! You joined us in November, so you’re our newest employee. Tell us about your previous work experience and how you found NeedyMeds.
Julie: Thank you for the welcome! I have an academic background and was a university professor for 10 years, teaching psychology and women’s studies at various universities in Canada, the UK and The Netherlands. After moving back to Boston in 1995, I was the Director of Women’s Health at North Shore Medical Center/Partners HealthCare until 2003. I then worked as Director of Community Outreach and Interpreter Services at NSMC/Partners until earlier this year.
My friend and former colleague, Mary Ann O’Connor, who is the Director of Health Inspectional Services for City of Lynn, referred me to NeedyMeds. She had met Dr. Sagall and knew that he was interested in working with City of Lynn.
Vikki: As our new Director of Outreach, what are your primary responsibilities and goals?
Julie: My first project is to implement NeedyMeds in the Massachusetts towns of City of Lynn, Salem and Peabody. Developing an implementation strategy into a pilot project that can be replicated nationally will provide NeedyMeds with significant opportunities for growth and expansion.
My responsibilities also include identifying, researching and obtaining grant funding to further our mission and allow us to possibly partner with other organizations that share a similar mission.
Vikki: In the past few years NeedyMeds has started to really delve into forming partnerships with communities. Why do you think there is such a need for that kind of service now?
Julie: I think our health care system is broken. At both the state and national levels, attempts are being made to develop health care that is affordable, accessible and high quality. We are not there yet, and nearly 50 million people in the U.S. are uninsured. Even those folks who do have insurance are not always able to afford their medications. Locally, communities are looking for ways to assist their citizens, and partnering with NeedyMeds offers them an opportunity to provide education, information and patient assistance, and also shows their residents that they care about their welfare.
Vikki: You and Elizabeth in our office are working with communities in Massachusetts including Gloucester, Dracut, Lowell, Salem and City of Lynn, to hopefully implement our drug discount card, among other services. Describe these communities’ demographics and why they are ideal populations for partnering with NeedyMeds.
Continued on next page
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 9
Julie continued...Julie: What these communities share are relatively high rates of unemployment, poverty and immigrants whose health care needs are not being met. NeedyMeds can provide a range of services, including information on Patient Assistance Programs, the drug discount card and free clinics to enable people to access health care.
City of Lynn has a population of 90,000, 40% of whom speak a language other than English at home. Immigrant populations in City of Lynn include Hispanic (Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador), Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Haitian. Salem has a population of approximately 41,000, a quarter of whom speak a language other than English at home. Similarly, we have a large Hispanic population in Salem. Peabody has a population of about 51,000, 21% of whom speak a language other than English at home, mostly Spanish and Portuguese. What we typically see in immigrant populations is an increase in the number of barriers to health care—language, transportation, lack of prior health care, lack of health literacy and fear of authority. NeedyMeds, by providing a website and collateral materials in Spanish, and with plans for Portuguese translation in the future, is helping to connect people to health care.
Vikki: You have a background in psychology and medical ethics. How does your experience inform your work at NeedyMeds? What skills transfer well?
Julie: My work has always focused on education, communication and empowerment, whether in academe or health care. An important part of every job I have had has been to help students and patients identify their needs and strengths with a view towards making decisions and achieving their goals, whether it was a college degree or an advance directive or end-of-life plan. Empowering and assisting people through education is what NeedyMeds does very well.
Vikki: For now NeedyMeds is focusing on Massachusetts communities since we are based there, but our eventual goal is to form relationships with cities across the country. How do you think we can achieve this?
Julie: I think we will learn a lot from our pilot project in City of Lynn. As we evaluate our strategy, we will be able to put together a customized, flexible model. I do think it will be very important to have local community contacts with whom we can work; knowing the needs of a specific community will be crucial to successful implementation. As Dr. Sagall says, “We want everyone to have a NeedyMeds card!”
Vikki: Finally, you have a life outside of NeedyMeds. What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Julie: I am the mother of two sons, of whom I am very proud. I have two collies that I adore, and we spend a lot of time running at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. I also love to garden, read, cook and do needlepoint. I am also a crossword puzzle fanatic, love to try new restaurants, and spend time with my family and friends. I am happiest by the ocean.
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS JANUARY 2012 Page 10
PAP UPDATES
Lovenox Reimbursement Services and Patient Assistance Program has been discontinued.
Ferrlecit Reimbursement and Patient Assistance Program Services has been discontinued.
The Second Payer+ Program for Abraxane (Co-Pay Assistance) has been discontinued.
Graceway Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Program has been discontinued.
The Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Patient Assistance Program now only covers Apidra, Lantus SoloSTAR Pen and Lantus U-100. It no longer accepts applications or refill requests for all other medications because they are going generic.
Pact+ Program for Uninsured Patients and PACT+ Program for Patients Denied Coverage:
No longer accept new patient applications for Anzemet. Currently enrolled patients will continue to receive assistance.
Will continue to accept new patient applications and provide assistance for Elitek, Eloxatin, Jevtana, and Nilandron.
The following programs have updated
applications:
Kineret and Kepivance PAP
Safety Net Foundation has updated
Spanish application
Cayston Patient Assistance & Copay
Assistance ProgramsNeedyMeds, 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.
MEET OUR STAFF
RICHARD SAGALL, MDPresident
www.needymeds.org
ALANNA FLANAGANCall Center [email protected]
BILL KYROUZResearch [email protected]
DAMARIS MERCEDESBilingual Helpline [email protected]
ELIZABETH MESSENGEROutreach & Education [email protected]
JAYE VAN DUSSENVice [email protected]
JULIE KAUTZ MILLSDirector of [email protected]
KAREN GRENHAMCall Center [email protected]
PEGGY PEPLERCall Center [email protected] ROBERTA DOWNEY Software Sales Manager [email protected]
ROBIN HOFFMANDatabase & Research [email protected]
RUTH ROWECall Center [email protected]
SAMUEL RULON-MILLERResearch [email protected]
TONYA WHITEResearch [email protected]
VIKKI SLOVITERPAN [email protected]
EMAIL [email protected]
CALL US978-281-6666
FAX US 206-260-8850
WRITE USPO Box 219
Gloucester, MA 01931
