Partners
MAKING A DIFFERENCE

MaineHealth, CarePartners

An Expanded Strategy to Provide Prescription Drugs to the Uninsured

Dr. Bolander

Challenge

Because of financial and other life barriers, uninsured people often delay seeking care until they are very sick.  They are more likely to die at an earlier age because of poorer health.

Solution

CarePartners and similar programs serving the uninsured coordinate care, secure affordable medications, and offer support so people can improve their health, reduce the need for ER visits and hospitalizations, and decrease costs.

Impact

  • Since 2001, over $35 million ofmedical care has been donated by 8 hospitals and a volunteer network of 960 PCPs and specialists
  • With participation in CarePartners, thehealth of participants improves over time with reductions in ED visits, decreases in hospital admissions, and reduced medical costs
  • Since 2001, over $18.9 million inpharmaceuticals has been donated through Patient Assistance Programs run by the pharmaceutical companies
  • More than 4,400 referrals havebeen made for low-income MedAccess patients who don't qualify for CarePartners, with over $9.68 million in medications accessed from the patient assistance programs

CarePartners members access an extensive volunteer provider network of primary and specialty care physicians, get help securing affordable pharmaceuticals, and benefit from care management. Staff assists members in enrolling in any health and social service programs for which they are qualified. Anthem donates third-party administrative services and Martin's Point donates data analysis to track the programs' outcomes and costs. CarePartners' MedAccess program connects eligible Mainers to pharmaceutical drug programs, $4 generic programs at most local pharmacies, and other federal, state or local drug discount programs.