Connecting Patients to Prescription Assistance Programs: Effects on Emergency Department and Hospital Utilization

Manufacturer prescription assistance programs (PAPs) have been developed to provide medications at little or no cost to eligible patients. There are over 200 PAPs available from pharmaceutical companies, and each may have different eligibility requirements and assistance guidelines. A formalized community-based patient prescription coordinator can help patients navigate these programs by reviewing an applicant's financial information and medication requirements to identify which PAPs are most appropriate. Little is known, however, about whether providing such guidance is associated with a reduction in acute care utilization.