Welvista Meets The Needs Of South Carolina’s Medically Uninsured
August 20, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – August 19, 2009 – Welvista is a non-profit organization providing access to prescription medications for the medically uninsured. Partnering with 12 pharmaceutical companies who donate their medications and a network of over 3,000 healthcare providers, Welvista provides a single point of access to over 200 prescription medications that treat chronic disease, and offers an affordable solution to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility.
There are over 700,000 medically uninsured residents living in South Carolina. The majority of them do not qualify for federal assistance programs including Medicaid and Medicare. Many of these individuals have chronic health problems, including hypertension and diabetes, and they are less likely to be receiving preventative healthcare services. The uninsured are more likely to use emergency rooms for primary care and to be hospitalized with complications from preventable problems.
Welvista was created to meet the healthcare needs of this large group of predominately working poor uninsured individuals. The organization works to shift the more costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations that result from lack of access to prescription medication to appropriate outpatient settings, decreasing the expense that is ultimately paid by the healthcare provider and taxpayer.
At the center of Welvista is its mail-order pharmacy located in Columbia, South Carolina, which is the largest mail order pharmacy for the uninsured in the United States. There are currently over 200 medications on the Welvista formulary, which is found at www.welvista.org.
A recent study proved Welvista’s effectiveness in reducing inpatient hospitalization and emergency department use by patients enrolled in Welvista’s Prescription Assistance Program. Significant reductions in both ER use and inpatient hospitalization were found in patients receiving prescription medications through Welvista for diabetes, hypertension and patient on psychotropic medications.
As a result of these findings, Welvista has placed patient advocates at seven of the leading hospitals in South Carolina to assist qualified patients with enrollment. The program has been very successful and is another example of how Welvista continues to identify new ways to help the uninsured.
This model program would not be possible without the strong support of healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies and sponsors who appreciate the effectiveness of the Welvista program, and understand the importance of helping the uninsured manage chronic disease.
About Welvista
Welvista is an innovative model of non-governmental healthcare intervention partnering with 12 of the leading pharmaceutical companies that donate medications to serve thousands of uninsured patients. This healthcare network provides medications to the uninsured who do not qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or VA Health Benefits or private health insurance. Welvista also operates Smiles, five pediatric oral healthcare programs caring for children from limited income families in rural communities throughout South Carolina who would not otherwise have access to oral healthcare. To learn more about the organization, visit www.welvista.org.
