The Sun Patient Card Story – Physician Designed

Sun Health is a free standing dialysis facility near Chicago. We have always had a number of patients who struggle to afford their prescribed medications because they are not covered by conventional insurance and do not qualify for prescription drug coverage under public aid. To help these patients we have assisted in the application process for patient assistance programs because the paperwork is extensive and confusing. Additionally, we have distributed medication samples from drug manufacturers’ representatives and have formed a charitable foundation – however, resources have remained limited.

Sun Health was initially very excited when the new Medicare Part D Prescription Plan was announced. We attended the formative Medicare conference in Baltimore in December of 2003 and submitted an application to be a sponsor – in all probability the only medical provider to do so. As details about the program emerged, we realized that a number of our patients would still not be helped because of cumbersome and confusing paperwork, stringent income criteria or because they did not qualify for Medicare. In addition, it would not help the family members of our patients.

In response, we decided to design and sponsor a prescription drug discount program as a tool for medical providers to help their patients. The program would be simple and all-inclusive based on the following criteria:

ALL patients – Everyone qualifies regardless of age or income, no restrictions apply.

ALL prescriptions – All commonly prescribed medications are included; patients with prescription benefits that include formulary restrictions may use the Sun Patient Card to save on non-formulary medications.

Most pharmacies – Nine out of 10 pharmacies nationwide accept the Sun Patient Card -- all major chains participate in the program and many independents. It is easy for a pharmacy to join the network.

NO paperwork – Enrollment is performed online or via a toll-free phone call or by the pharmacist when a Sun Patient Card is presented.

NO delay – Discounts are applied at the time of the purchase – right at the pharmacy.

A NO risk, NO cost, and NO obligation – Basic membership in the association is free and includes the discount program. An upgraded association membership is optional, will require a membership fee and will give you access to other programs as they become available.

Thus, the Sun Patient Card was created. Discounts are negotiated with participating pharmacies and are available to the public through the program. Participants simply present the card along with their prescription(s) at a participating pharmacy or purchase medications through our mail service option.

The program was formally launched at the April 2004 National Kidney Foundation conference in Chicago. A nationwide campaign followed. The acceptance rate for this program has been phenomenal. Through September of 2008 we helped more than 116,000 patients and their families in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico save more than $ 12.1 million. Realized savings have averaged 18.5 percent, though some patients have saved more than 35 percent.

We have established the SunAssociation for patients and their medical team. Basic membership in the association is free and includes the discount program. An upgraded association membership is optional, will require a membership fee and will give you access to other programs as they become available.

For more information about the program, please call toll-free 1-866-662-1351 or visit www.eSunPatientCard.com.