Medication assistance helps a father keep moving

Dina Perez's parents have spent a lifetime doing what many families do: working hard, saving what they can and taking pride in providing for themselves. But when her father, Pete Munguia, faced rising costs for his rheumatoid arthritis medication, finding a way to pay for it quickly became a source of stress for the entire family.

As Abilene market director of Women and Children's Services at Hendrick Health, Perez spends her days working to improve the care and experience of patients and families. This time, however, the concern was personal.

She received a phone call from her parents telling her that they did not qualify for many of the prescription assistance programs, and the cost of specialty medication had become a significant burden. Munguia depends on the medication to manage his rheumatoid arthritis, and without it, even simple movement becomes difficult.

During a conversation with coworker Bob Wray, director of Financial and Outpatient Pharmacy Services, Perez mentioned the difficulty her family was facing. Wray suggested she contact Hendrick Health's Medication Management, which helps patients navigate medication-related issues, identify barriers to treatment and learn about available resources.

Wray checked in with Perez again to see how things were progressing, reminding her of the resources available through Medication Management. Not long after completing the application, Perez received welcome news: her father qualified for assistance through the program, and he wouldn't experience a lapse in his medication.

"I nearly cried when I saw the approval email," said Perez. "When I called my dad, he choked up. We were both so relieved."

The news brought immediate peace of mind for Munguia, who said the assistance has allowed him to continue taking the medication that helps him stay active.

"I am proud my daughter works at a place that helps people," said Munguia. "I am very grateful for what they did for us. This medicine really helps me, and I am still up moving around because of their help."

For Perez, the experience was a reminder of the difference compassionate people can make when they choose to treat someone else's problem as their own.

"I was moved by the kindness of Bob and his team," said Perez, who has since been able to get her mother enrolled in the assistance program. "They love what they do. They're so engaged and care so much that they want to help as many people as they can."

That commitment made a difference for one family, but Perez believes it also reflects something larger.
"That's really the Hendrick way," she said. "That's how we should all treat each other."