SuncoastRX: a Prescription Advocacy Service
Providing discounted medications to the local families who need them
By: Danielle Palli, Health Advocate
When I moved to Southwest Florida six years ago and was looking for work, the natives joked, “Enjoy getting paid in sunshine.” While I love living along the Suncoast, sunshine neither pays the rent, nor does it put food on the table. Sadly, once those basic needs are met, we still need to account for things that contribute to our overall well-being and the health of our families, such as preventative care and treatment for chronic conditions.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States; and yet, in the state of Florida, 21% of us are still uninsured and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Of those who have insurance, many benefits options do not include a prescription drug plan that makes ongoing care possible.
A Common Scenario:
Hypothetically speaking, let’s say you are married with two children and the average household income is $50,000 a year. One day, you’re not feeling well and go to your local walk-in clinic and learn –after a few expensive tests – that you need to start taking Lipitor regularly because you have high cholesterol.
Does $188 a month ($2,256 per year) fit into the budget of an uninsured (or underinsured) family of four? Probably not, but given that high cholesterol often leads to heart disease (the number one cause of death in the US), you need a more immediate solution in addition to changes you may have to make with diet and exercise.
What will you do?
Prescription Assistance Programs:
Do a little research and you will find that there are prescription assistance programs available to you and your doctor, but the time involved in processing the amount of paperwork needed to qualify - coupled with the complexities of each individual case – makes the procedure a nightmare for those who do not specialize in patient advocacy.
There is one local company that’s making a difference. SuncoastRx (a division of Solucin, llc) provides a low-cost Prescription Advocacy Service that does the legwork for you, and qualifying means that you will save 90% -- minimum -- on that $188-dollar prescription – a savings of $2000 per year.
How SuncoastRx Works:
The program provides access to nearly 3,000 of the most popular drugs that are hard to come by if you have a limited income. SuncoastRx helps you qualify to receive a discount on prescriptions. The average member saves 90% for medications that would otherwise cost him $200 per month.
SuncoastRx effectively acts as the liaison between you (the consumer), the drug companies and your doctor by taking that paperwork nightmare off your hands. They specialize in sifting through the maze of options for financially-challenged individuals, couples and families and find out what works for each special circumstance.
The Process:
When you phone SuncoastRx, they’ll spend about 10-15 minutes with you discussing your needs. They’ll ask you a few personal questions, such as info about your health conditions, current income and what you’re currently spending on healthcare (i.e. doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, etc.). Some of this information will need appropriate documentation (proof of income, is one) from you.*
From there, SuncoastRx will compile all of your data and complete all necessary applications on your behalf. These will either be sent directly to you or your doctor for a physician’s signature. The application is then submitted for you, and approval process generally takes up to two weeks. If you are approved, you will receive a “notice of eligibility” form in the mail. Once you are approved by the program administrator, your prescriptions are mailed via USPO in 90-days supplies. Prescriptions are either sent directly to you or to your doctor.
To date, it’s one of the best solutions available for those who need treatment for chronic conditions.
To find out more about SuncoastRx, phone 941-201-3038 or contact them and see how their prescription assistance service can help you.
*Please visit the SuncoastRx’s FAQ page for a list of commonly asked questions and documents.