News Release
For Immediate Release: April 14, 2009
Contact Person: Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, 301-334-7730
Garrett County Medbank is Here to Help
Garrett County residents
who are chronically ill
and require daily
medications but do not
have prescription coverage
may qualify for assistance through the Garrett County Medbank Program.
Pictured at left are Joe
and Sarah Martin (left)
talking with Donna
McClintock Fost,
Director of Adult Evaluation
and Review Services at the Health Department, about
how the Medbank has help
them for the past seven years.
In these times of financial concern, Medbank may be able to assist you. Garrett County residents who are chronically ill and require daily medications but do not have prescription coverage through private insurance or Medicaid may qualify for assistance through the Garrett County Medbank Program. To participate in the program, a person must also meet the financial guidelines set by each pharmaceutical company.
“I attribute the Medbank with keeping Joe as health as he is,” said Sarah Martin of her husband. Soon after the Medbank was established, Joe was diagnosed with a heart condition at age 56 and his doctor told him he had to quit working. “Without the Medbank there would have been no way we could have afforded the heart medication he needed,” Sarah added.
Angela Lucas is coordinating this program for local residents through the Garrett County Health Department's Adult Evaluation and Review Services (AERS). “On behalf of low income, uninsured or underinsured patients we apply to drug manufacturers to obtain medications at no or low cost to the patient.” The drug companies determine final eligibility based on income and asset information provided.
In the Martin's case, they qualified for assistance, and the medicine that would have cost them $400-500 a month was free.
“When we were applying for Joe's medicine, Angie asked my about my medicines, and we were able to get them as well,” said Sarah, who has arthritis and fibromyalgia. “Without those medicines I would not be able to continue working.”
Referrals are accepted from the individual, physician or concerned agency representative. AERS personnel then visit the applicant to determine eligibility for Medbank, as well as other community programs.
Applicants will be required to submit detailed income and asset information for the household and must supply documentation to Medbank along with prescription information.
“The people at the Medbank are very caring and giving,” Sarah said. “Everyone is wonderful. They are very willing to help.”
The Medbank Coordinator manages the application process, which includes a financial needs questionnaire. When a physician's signature is needed, the application will be forwarded to the physician's office and then mailed to the pharmaceutical company along with the prescription. The total process takes 6-8 weeks.
For more information on this program, persons may call Angela Lucas at 301-334-7742 or 301-895-3113.