Role of Medication Assistance Program in Reducing Readmission Rates at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

Background: In 2014, 1 in 8 American adults reported skipping medicines because of difficulty paying for the prescribed medication. In 2014, a medication assistance program (MAP) was introduced to provide medicines at little or no cost to eligible patients with an objective to reduce readmissions attributable to the lack of medication access and/or adherence. From January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016, the MAP provided assistance to 721 patients with drugs worth $3,522,652.

Methods: For analysis purposes, all medical visits to the ED, observation, and/or inpatient units were included except for admissions related to psychiatric illness, trauma, and/or pregnancy. A total of 448 patients were identified; 363 patients met the eligibility criteria. The average enrollee was 48 years old and single, with an average income of $5,546 and $436 in annual medical expenses. Sixty percent of patients were male, and the ethnic breakdown was 37% white, 32% Hispanic, 26% black, and 5% other.

Results: The average rate of readmissions was decreased by 22.4% after enrollment in the MAP. Seventy-nine patients had a reduction in readmissions after enrollment in the MAP. Flexible criteria for MAP enrollment allowed us to serve the Medicare and Medicaid population when resources were insufficient to support their needs. An active partnership with administration and medical staff enabled a robust number of patient referrals.

Conclusion: A MAP increases indigent patients’ access to unaffordable treatment and thus improves patient compliance, clinical outcomes, and quality of life. A MAP directly decreases readmissions.