Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

WAUKESHA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL– Waukesha,Wisconsin
Waukesha Family Practice CenterPatient Assistance Program

What is it?
The Patient Assistance Program helps individuals obtain needed medications that they would be unable to afford otherwise. The Waukesha Family Practice Center is a Family Medicine Residency that provides care to patients on a sliding scale, according to their ability to pay. The residency & clinic are a partnership between Waukesha Memorial Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin. 

Who is it for?
Uninsured and under-insured in the Waukesha community.

Why do they do it?
Many Waukesha Family Practice Center patients struggle with a variety of financial constraints, often having to choose between paying their rent, buying food, or paying for their medications. Without their medications, many find it difficult to continue working and meeting the daily needs of their families. Many drug companies offer medications at a reduced cost or even free, but the process to apply can be very complicated. Providing medications for the underserved in the community often helps to stabilize or improve their medical condition. This is a tremendous benefit to the patient’s physical and mental well-being and can also result in fewer clinic visits, emergency room visits, and hospital stays. 

Impact: The program is presently helping 120 patients acquire 448 medications that would be out of their reach without this program; 25 percent are diabetic and 19 percent are being medicated for high cholesterol. A typical high cholesterol medication could cost a patient more than $1,000 annually. The program processes paperwork for more than 20 different pharmaceutical companies on more than 90 different brand name and generic medications. In 2006, the program provided more than $334,000 worth of medications to patients in need. A recently started pilot program with three other clinics has added 75 patients to the Patient Assistance Program.

Contact: Chris Purdy
Clinic Administrator
Telephone: 262-548-6916
E-mail: chris.purdy@phci.org