UHS Pharmacies - 340B Federal Program
The 340B Program Enables UHS to Provide Care and Services
All UHS Retail Pharmacies participate in a Federal Program known as 340B. This program was established by the government to ensure hospitals provide access and services to the most vulnerable patients. The program is fully funded by the pharmaceutical companies not by the government. It represents a small portion of the profits pharmaceutical manufacturers make.
UHS has utilized portions of the $31 million in savings we received to establish a Pharmacy Financial Assistance Program and Medication Assistance Program available through our retail pharmacies. These programs evaluate applicants to determine eligibility for reduced costs for prescription medications. As an example, one patient was able to purchase his outpatient medication at a price that was affordable, instead of the original $300- $400. This program was established in 2018 and currently 1out of every 20 prescriptions benefits due to this program.
The 340B program also enables us to provide a team that manages medications on discharge from the hospital. The program known as Transitions of Care includes a pharmacist who meets with patients prior to discharge to review all medications. We can then identify options that are free or low-cost and available at one of the UHS Pharmacies. Patients who are able to afford their medication have better long term outcomes and reduced hospital utilization.
Other Services Supported by 340B Funds
UHS is a Certified Level II Trauma Center. Many of the over 1,000 patients seen annually through this service are critically injured requiring use of every department of the hospital. 340B funding allows us to provide the appropriate physicians, specialists, nurses and ancillary staff 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Treatment of opioid dependency needs to start early. We are able to provide training and support in the primary care setting. By treating opioid dependence in this setting, specialty care centers can be freed up to treat those with the most severe illness.
340B enables us to provide health care services at two of the lowest income schools in Binghamton. Children at Franklin and Roosevelt Elementary Schools are eligible to receive a full range of primary care services right at school, with no out-of-pocket cost or co-pay.
At UHS, we believe that a fear of a hospital bill should never be a reason to avoid seeking necessary medical care. The 340B program supports our Patient Financial Advocate program that identifies assistance that a patient is eligible for and helps the patient enroll.
We also utilize 340B funds to support the Adult Community Free Clinic at UHS Primary Care Binghamton that provides preventative, primary and acute health care every Thursday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.