Aaron Rush
Staff Reporter

Although some may have thought that the only way for the uninsured of North Iowa to receive health care and prescriptions at a discounted price in the past was to load up the car and head to Canada, that is no longer the case.

Mercy Family Medicine Residency has introduced to North Iowa a new way to receive prescriptions, as well as other medical services at reduced prices.

SimpleCare is a pilot project by Mercy Family Residency, which is a department of Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa that provides discounted health care to the uninsured.

SimpleCare can provide a 20-50 percent reduction of prescription medicines and other services. The program is open to anyone who is not covered by any health insurance.

Participants pay the reduced costs in full every time they need a service. The "pay as you go" method eliminates complex insurance claim forms and reduces unnecessary administration. Mercy was one of the first hospitals to offer SimpleCare. Most providers up to this point are independent practices.

Mercy Family Medicine Residency first offered this service July 1, 2004.

"We knew there was an uninsured population in need of health care services," Meagan Townsend, SimpleCare coordinator, said.

The annual enrollment cost to be part of the program is $29 for an individual or $39 per family.

There is no limit to how large a family can be and still be covered under the $39 fee, as long as the children are under the age of 21.

It usually takes ten working days to receive the membership card. Yet individuals can be covered immediately.

"As long as the enrollment application is filled out and the fee is paid applicants can receive the benefits of SimpleCare," Townsend said.

Although Mercy Family Medicine Residency is a department of Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, hospital visits are not covered.

Townsend compared the services offered at Mercy Family Medicine Residency to a family practice.

Mercy Family Medicine Residency offers services that range from stitching of wounds and wart removal, to routine laboratory tests and psychological counseling.

In addition, a Family Practice physician is on call at all times.

A highlight of the program for many is the reduction of prescription costs. Members can receive reduced costs of prescriptions at any Mercy pharmacy as well as the Mercy Home Therapy Shoppe.

Although SimpleCare is a nation wide project, Mercy Family Medicine Residency is the only provider in North Iowa. A full list of the nation-wide providers can be found on-line at simplecare.com.

"There are 45 people enrolled with at least one being a NIACC student," Townsend said. Handouts have been provided in NIACC orientation packets, as well as local pharmacies and social services. Advertisements have also been run.

Mercy Family Medicine Residency is located right next to Mercy Cancer Center at 101 South Taylor.

The SimpleCare Coordinator, Meagan Townsend, can be reached at (641)422-7502.