Marcus's Story

Marcus Story

Marcus was urgently referred to Lackey Clinic by Riverside Hospital. He was employed full-time in York County, making approximately $23,000 a year, but lost his employer's health insurance due to COVID-19. Marcus had been admitted to the hospital for a GI bleed, chest pain and unprovoked blood clots. After calling Lackey, Marcus was assisted in using Lackey Clinic's online patient application and a same day tele-health appointment was created. During the appointment, the provider also learned that Marcus had hypertension, high cholesterol, anemia, and type II diabetes. Marcus admitted he had been “borrowing” diabetes medications from his friend because he had been unable to afford it. He told his Lackey provider he could not afford to pay for his medications, but was assured that all his medications would be provided to him at no cost. The provider immediately contacted LMAP Case Manager, Marcia Soto, after the tele-health visit and asked her to start an urgent application for Eliquis for the patient. Mrs. Soto quickly completed the application and faxed it to the medication Patient Assistance Program., and the patient was approved the next day. When Marcus was seen in our office for his follow-up appointment his provider prescribed him several medications which would have cost over $31,000.00 a year; more than his annual salary. Marcus was still working full-time, but made too much to qualify for Medicaid. He clearly would not have been able to afford the cost of his healthcare and medications and would have been at high risk for death with the development of further clots.

Marcus is seen regularly by his Lackey Clinic provider and our Cardiologist NP. He was also referred to hematology/oncology specialists at Riverside Hospital. Due to his continuum of care and these life-saving medications, his diabetes is under better control (hemoglobin A1c dropped from a high of 11.9% to the current reading of 7.1%), he has had no re-occurrence of blood clots and his hypertension and high cholesterol are stable. Because Marcus is able to receive quality, free healthcare and medications, the patient is healthier, continues to work full-time, and he doesn’t have to choose between paying for his healthcare, rent or car payment.

Learn more about Lackey Clinic here.