It's a fact that many individuals and families struggle to meet the cost of prescription medications. Several organizations in Kosciusko County recognized that fact by sponsoring two different types of programs that assisted eligible county residents cover those costs.

One type of program, which was available through both Combined Community Services and the Salvation Army, helped patients purchase prescription drugs using a voucher system. The other type of program, administered through Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, assisted patients in receiving their medications directly from the pharmaceutical company at little or no cost.

During the first months of 2000, it became clear to these organizations that they could maximize the effectiveness of their programs by joining forces. A focus group, made up of representatives of the agencies, area pharmacists, and local business people, held a series of meetings where they discussed the possibility of a consolidated prescription program. When the meetings concluded, the Medication Assistance program was created.

The Medication Assistance program, administered by Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, combines aspects of both the immediate and long-term assistance programs for Kosciusko County residents. Eligibility is determined by using the Federal Poverty standard, and the number of people living in the applicant's household.

Patients who need immediate help in obtaining prescription medications can receive up to $150 per patient, per request. Payment vouchers are given to patients and can be used at most area pharmacies. For patients with long-term prescription needs, staff members help the patient apply for direct assistance from the pharmaceutical companies, many of which have their own low-income programs. If the application is approved, prescription medications are sent to the patient's doctor's office usually within 4-6 weeks after the company receives your request.

Although not all pharmaceutical companies participate in the program, below you will see a few of the medications that are available:

• Wyeth-Ayert—hormonal prescriptions
• Eli Lily—insulin products
• Merck—cholesterol lowering medications
• Schering—asthma inhalers

Funded by a grant from the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation, Inc., the Medication Assistance Program office is located at 1934 East Center Street, Warsaw. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m.

The Medication Assistance also offers two weekly satellite offices in Pierceton and Milford. In Pierceton, patients can visit the Presbyterian Church on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Patients in northern Kosciusko County can apply for assistance at the Milford Community Center on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A volunteer is currently being sought to staff a location in Silver Lake for two hours each week. For more information about this program, or to request an application, please call us at (574) 372-3604.