Samaritan Ministries (a HIV/AIDS ministry in Knoxville, Tennessee)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Enhances Patient Co-Pay Program
Starting on January 1, 2010, the Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Co-pay Benefit Program will be available for eligible new and existing Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) and Sustiva (efavirenz) patients who have out-of-pocket costs through their commercial insurance coverage. In a press release issued on December 17, a company spokesman said, “We recognize that, especially in this economic environment, out-of-pocket costs for HIV medicines may be prohibitive even for patients who have prescription drug benefits. This program reflects Bristol-Myers Squibb’s ongoing commitment to helping patients who need our medicines to access them.” The Reyataz and Sustiva Co-pay Benefit Program will now cover the first $200 of a patient’s monthly co-pay or co-insurance costs; the patient will be responsible for any amount over $200. To access this benefit, eligible patients need to obtain a Co-pay Benefit Card to take to the pharmacy each time they fill their prescription for Reyataz or Sustiva. Benefit cards are available through their health care provider, select pharmacies, or online at www.BMSHIVCoPayProgram.com. Patients who are currently utilizing the Co-pay Benefit Program for Reyataz or Sustiva do not need to obtain new benefit cards. These patients will begin receiving the new benefits, subject to the new program end date, upon their next use of their Co-pay Benefit Card. First use must take place by December 31, 2010. The Co-pay Benefit Card is not valid in Massachusetts, or for prescriptions purchased under Medicaid, Medicare, or federal or state programs (including state prescription drug programs, or private indemnity or HMO insurance plans, which reimburse patients for the entire cost of the prescription drugs). This Co-pay Benefit Program is for eligible commercially insured patients only. For HIV-positive people who are uninsured or underinsured, BMS offers other programs to support access to medicines. BMS provides medicines free of charge to those who qualify through the Access Virology Patient Assistance Program and also participates in the pharmaceutical industry’s Together Rx Access® Program. [From TPAN Network 12/22/09]

Samaritan Ministry Partners with AID for AIDS
Samaritan Ministry has joined AID for AIDS International to recycle unused Antiretrovirals to people needing these drugs overseas. We have seen medicine go to waste locally because there is no way to gather and reuse meds - legally. But, we have discovered this wonderful organization and have already shipped several thousand dollars worth of HIV medications to AID for AIDS that might otherwise have been discarded. If you have unused HIV medications that have not expired, let us know, or contact AID for AIDS directly at www.aidforaids.org.

MAC AIDS Fund Grant Award
The MAC AIDS Fund has awarded another grant to Samaritan Ministry. This Grant is made specifically so we can offer assistance to our clients with emergency housing needs, including rent assistance and utility rescue.

New Knoxville Area Resource Directory
We have posted a new Resource Directory on this web Site for the greater Knox County, Tennessee area. Find it by selecting the RESOURCES button on our Main Page.

Until There's A Cure Partnership
We have entered into a new partnership with the Until There's a Cure organization. This Partnership will allow you to go to their website, purchase the wonderful selection of jewelry, and Samaritan Ministry will get a portion of the sale (25%) if you select us in the pull-down menu.Isn't this a great idea? You can go to Until There's a Cure by clicking on their logo at the bottom of this page.