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Help is available for prescriptions for low-income families
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Published: September 24, 2008
MED-AID, a program established through the collaboration of several health-care groups, helps low-income families who don't have prescription coverage through insurance receive low-cost and free medications.
The program, which started in May, works on various ways that people in Forsyth, Davie and Stokes counties can obtain free or low-cost drugs. MED-AID fills out the necessary paperwork. Many pharmaceutical companies offer medical-assistance programs that provide free drugs to people who qualify. The companies set the requirements for eligibility, and MED-AID oversees those requirements. Prescriptions must be written by a doctor practicing in Forsyth, Stokes or Davie counties and, generally, the applicant's income must be less than twice the federal poverty level, which is $10,400 for one person and $22,200 for a family of four.
Medicare patients who have exhausted their subsidies are also eligible for the program.
"We do the headache part," said Shona Hester, an eligibility specialist with the program. "If pharmaceutical companies have any questions, we speak for the patient."
About 1,800 medications are available, including some of the most frequently prescribed drugs, such as insulin and Plavix, a drug that is used to prevent blood clots after heart attacks or strokes. The program does not cover narcotics or controlled substances, nor drugs that can cause dependence and be abused.
People who want to participate in the program should call for an appointment at 336-714-2359, fill out an application online or by mail and bring their prescription bottles and proof of income for everyone in the household. The program provides services in Spanish.
A donation of $5 a visit is requested but not required. People who are accepted into the program will get their prescriptions in four to six weeks, which gives the pharmaceutical companies time to carefully examine the applications and ship the drugs. Hester said that she hopes to eventually be able to get a big enough stock of drugs to have them on hand for those who qualify.
MED-AID was established through these agencies: Northwest Community Care Network, Community Care Center, HealthCare Access, Forsyth-Stokes-Davie County Medical Society, Cancer Services, Downtown Health Plaza, Community Physicians of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Forsyth Medical Group/Novant Health, Crisis Control Ministry and Winston-Salem Urban League. It is a program of the Community Care Center for Forsyth County. It is supported through the United Way.
The program's headquarters is at 1900 S. Hawthorne Road, Suite 564. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
■ Janice Gaston can be reached at 727-7364 or at jgaston@wsjournal.com.
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