Central Indiana Healthy Communities Access Program, Ascension Health and PharmaCare Collaborate to Expand Access to Cardiovascular Medication for the Uninsured.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

LINCOLN, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003

Central Indiana Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP), Ascension Health and PharmaCare Management Services, Inc. have announced a collaboration that will maximize matching funds received from a federal HCAP grant supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program expands access to cardiovascular prescriptions for the uninsured and underinsured population in four rural counties in Central Indiana.

Congress authorized federal HCAP funding to develop more than 150 local community programs designed to enhance access to health services, collaboration between non-profits and corporations, and integration of the continuum of care for underserved people. The Central Indiana HCAP project was awarded a 3-year federal grant of $487,950, with a match of $331,938 from Ascension Health, the nation's largest nonprofit Catholic health system which operates Indianapolis-based St. Vincent Health, the sponsoring organization of the 4 rural hospitals.

One aspect of the Central Indiana HCAP program is the integration and coordination of services with PharmaCare, the nation's fourth largest pharmacy benefit manager. PharmaCare's Community Partners program will invest $52,000 into the program, to be combined with $72,800 of federal grant money and $150,000 of Ascension Health funds for cardiovascular drugs prescribed to at-risk individuals who do not qualify for other pharmaceutical assistance programs.

Under the terms of the agreement, Central Indiana HCAP will transmit electronic eligibility files to PharmaCare. The two organizations will also consult with the medical community to develop a list of approved generic and brand acute drugs that are needed for patients' cardiovascular treatment. Generic cardiovascular drugs on the approved drug list will be mailed within 48 hours of receipt from PharmaCare Direct, PharmaCare's mail order facility, to the local HCAP clinic for patient pick-up. Brand and generic acute drugs associated with cardiovascular treatment can be accessed by patients at select 24-hour CVS Pharmacies. To measure the outcomes of this innovative program, PharmaCare will produce monthly management reports to enable accurate monitoring.

"PharmaCare seized the opportunity to participate in this targeted and measurable program that treats cardiovascular disease in a vulnerable population," said Greg Weishar, PharmaCare's President and CEO. "Our participation in innovative community programs like this one will result in an overall healthier population. We are committed to this program long term and are hopeful that federal funding in 2003 allows its continuation."

"Central Indiana HCAP recognizes that our targeted population is less likely to get needed medical care due to access barriers and cost. These circumstances strain families physically, emotionally and economically," said Connie Floerchinger, Executive Director, Central Indiana HCAP. "Through skillful management, the PharmaCare program will strive to deliver positive outcomes for these at-risk patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease."

About Central Indiana Healthy Communities Access Program

The Central Indiana Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) was designed to initiate increased access to health services for vulnerable populations. It currently focuses on four rural Indiana counties (Clinton, Northern Madison, Howard and Randolph). The targeted population for services within those counties are the uninsured population (approximately 12%) and the individuals / families living at less than 200% of poverty level (approximately 32%). For more information on Federal HCAP initiatives go to www.bphc.hrsa.gov/HCAP.

About PharmaCare

PharmaCare, a leading prescription benefit manager (PBM), provides integrated network pharmacy claims processing, mail pharmacy services, specialty pharmaceuticals, benefit design consultation, drug utilization review, formulary management, disease management and medical drug data analysis services to over 15 million participants throughout the U.S. PharmaCare's clients include managed care organizations, insurance companies, corporate health plans, unions, government agencies and other funded benefit plans. PharmaCare is a subsidiary of CVS Corporation (NYSE: CVS - News). More information can be found at http://www.pharmacare.com.