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| Discounted Prescriptions for Returning Offenders |
| By Rhode Island Department of Corrections |
| Published: 08/01/2011 |
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The Rhode Island Department of Corrections has partnered with two organizations to provide resources to offenders returning to their home communities. Recovery Health Network is a non-profit organization based in California, and HealthAccessRI is a for profit Rhode Island-based agency that was created for people without insurance. The free “no strings attached” Recovery Health Network Medication Card can save individuals who are already facing many obstacles to successful reentry with significant savings on their medications. The free card provides offenders with discounts of from 10 to 94 percent on prescription medications, with the average being 54%, when the “Pharmacy Locator/Medication Pricing” tool on the RHN website is utilized. RHN’s also offers 50% discounts on laboratory tests and imaging services to support the continuity of care for those being released. Cards have been given to inmates being released from each of the state’s prison facilities as well as those on probation and parole. “The Recovery Health Network was created to provide individuals with an easy and free, no-strings-attached healthcare discount program,” Jeremy Dickson, RHN Program Director, said. “RHN lives by the mantra that affordable healthcare should be an inalienable right to all.” “The RHN free Discount Prescription Card guarantees that RIDOC card users are receiving the absolute lowest prices possible on their prescriptions,” Dickson says. “Whether it is the insurance co-payment, the pharmacy retail price, or the RHN price, card users will always pay the lowest price.” Anyone can receive a free card by visiting www.recoveryhealthnetwork.com The Recovery Health Network prescription savings card is recognized by over 68,000 pharmacies nationwide. The program is available to everyone. The card never expires, has unlimited uses, and works for all FDA physician-prescribed medications. In addition to receiving a card entitling them to reduced cost prescriptions, offenders leaving prison also have the option of joining HealthAccessRI, a network of independent doctors and medical practices that charge a monthly membership fee (usually $25 or $30 per month) for comprehensive Primary Care services. Beyond the monthly fee is an office visit fee, usually from $5 to $15. According to Patient and Practice Coordinator Karen Dalton, “many of the 17 participating doctors’ offices offer discounts for multiple family members and also for automatic monthly credit card payments. This means that if a family can not afford health insurance, they can still get quality primary care and have a relationship with a doctor who will monitor and care for their health. There is no further need to go to the emergency room for basic care.” Through the HealthAccessRI network, participating patients get discounted lab work, image scans, physical therapy and other participating specialist visits. Patients also get 24-hour emergency telephone access, sick visits, well child care, check-ups, school and sports physicals, family planning, and yearly physicals. Anyone can become a member and there are no limits on the number of doctor visits a participant can have. The only requirement to remain in the program is to keep current with the monthly charge. HealthAccessRI is NOT health insurance and won’t cover major medical emergencies or hospital stays. HealthAccessRI also offers a free discounted pharmacy card that is accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies, offers a discount of up to 80% off the price of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (if written as a prescription) and pet prescriptions purchased at a pharmacy. The card can not be combined with insurance, but if the card holder has a high deductible or low medication cap, or a high copay it can be used. The card is saving patients up to 80% or more on the cost of prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs and pet prescription drugs. Detailed information on the HealthAccessRI program is available at www.healthaccessri.com. “We are pleased to be able to provide these programs to returning offenders to help increase their likelihood of success outside the walls,” notes Corrections Director A.T. Wall II. “Along with obtaining affordable housing, access to substance abuse treatment, and employment, continuity of medical care is one of the key challenges facing those leaving prison or on probation and parole,” he adds. “The cost of prescription drugs can be a significant barrier to compliance,” Director Wall says, “and non-adherence to essential medications can have a significant impact on an individual’s reentry success rate. Ceasing to take medications for financial reasons can result in the beginning of the downward spiral leading offenders to return to prison.” Teresa Foley, Reentry Services Coordinator/Transitional Services, is particularly pleased with these programs because they aren’t exclusively for the inmate but for their whole family. “Medical expenses can become a real stumbling block for people who are struggling,” Foley says, “and these programs can save an inmate and his or her family a significant amount of money. Any stress we can relieve will increase their likelihood for success upon release.” |
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