LPCA Saves Federally Qualified Health Center Patients Over $1M

The Louisiana Primary Care Association announced at its 26th Annual Conference in Lake Charles that it helped over 735 patients save over $1 million dollars in medication costs by enrolling them in pharmaceutical patient assistance programs.

(Vocus) June 30, 2009 -- Ms. Rhonda Litt, Executive Director of the Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) announced at its 2009 Annual Training Conference that since the inception of its Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) 96 days ago, it helped over 735 patients and saved the participating health centers more than $1 million dollars in medication expenses.

Ms. Lillie Carr Chambers, PAP Consultant with LPCA, spearheads the program and credits all the staff who worked so very hard to make the program a success so quickly. She believes the adoption of PAPRxTracker (http://www.needymeds.org/indices/paprxtracker.shtml) software package was critical to achieving the savings.

PAPRxTracker,a web-based solution developed by NeedyMeds, Inc, helps primary clinics like Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other organizations simplify applying to PAP initiatives. The software stores information, eliminating the need to re-enter it, prints completed applications, and reminds users when refills are needed.

NeedyMeds president Richard J. Sagall, MD, a conference presenter, described the saving this way, "Each day the clinics were saving patients over $10,000! That means patients received the medications they need without weighing the costs of the drugs against paying for other necessities such as food, rent, or utilities."

About NeedyMeds:

http:// NeedyMeds (www.needymeds.org), a Massachusetts-based nonprofit, is a comprehensive and reliable source of information on assistance available for people having difficulties paying for their medications or health care. The Web site is visited by approximately 12,000 people each workday. All of NeedyMeds' information is always free, easy to access, and updated regularly. More information about PAPRxTracker (http://www.needymeds.org/indices/paprxtracker.shtml) is available by by contacting Roberta at 215-965-8291.

About the Louisiana Primary Care Association:

http::// Louisiana Primary Care Association (www.lpca.net), established in 1982, is a non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to promote accessible, affordable, quality primary health care to the uninsured and medically underserved populations. It is a membership organization of 25 FQHCs and supporters committed to the goal of achieving health care access for all and elimination of health disparities.

Contact:

Richard J. Sagall, MD

NeedyMeds.org

P.O. Box 219, Gloucester, MA 01931

Tel: 978-281-6666

Fax: 419-858-7221

Lillie Carr Chambers, PAP Consultant

Louisiana Primary Care Association

4550 North Boulevard, Suite 120

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806

Telephone: 225 927 7662

FAX: 225 927 7688

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