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

Evaluation of Hospital-Based Acute Care Utilization by Uninsured Patients Enrolled in Free or Low-Cost Pharmacy Programs

“…Previous studies have demonstrated benefits of reducing medication costs and connecting uninsured patients with medication assistance programs, but many outpatient clinics do not routinely enroll patients in these programs. 17,18,[23][24][25][26] One review concluded that there is a lack of peer-reviewed literature assessing the impact of medication access on health outcomes. 27 After enrollment in free and low-cost pharmacy programs, hospitalizations decreased most for uninsured patients in this study (mean decrease of 0.17 hospitalizations per patient), with no statistically significant difference in ED visits (mean decrease of 0.06 visits per patient).…”

“…Previous studies likewise demonstrated that increases in medication adherence can positively affect control of chronic conditions and decrease hospitalizations. 11,18,26,28 The data concerning ED visits is less clear, however, with studies showing that medication nonadherence can lead to ED visits, but a lack of evidence demonstrating that decreasing medication costs is associated with decreased ED visits. 25,26,29,30 One study examined rates of acute care utilization following facilitated patient enrollment in medication assistance programs facilitated by a social worker.…”

“…11,18,26,28 The data concerning ED visits is less clear, however, with studies showing that medication nonadherence can lead to ED visits, but a lack of evidence demonstrating that decreasing medication costs is associated with decreased ED visits. 25,26,29,30 One study examined rates of acute care utilization following facilitated patient enrollment in medication assistance programs facilitated by a social worker. 26 There was a mean decrease of 0.096 acute care encounters per participant in the three months after enrollment, but the types of acute care encounters were not defined.…”

“…25,26,29,30 One study examined rates of acute care utilization following facilitated patient enrollment in medication assistance programs facilitated by a social worker. 26 There was a mean decrease of 0.096 acute care encounters per participant in the three months after enrollment, but the types of acute care encounters were not defined. More research is needed to define the relationship between decreased medication cost and ED visits.…”

Use of Prescription Assistance Programs After the Affordable Health Care Act

“…Despite improved insurance coverage, however, patients may still face high costs for prescription medications or have difficulty obtaining approval for needed medications. 8 Because insurance coverage in the United States seems to be in a state of unrest, we hypothesized that despite the improvements in health insurance coverage, PAPs will continue to be used.…”