Mercy Health - Springfield

For the Springfield community, Mercy Health’s Community Medication Assistance Program (Med Assist) has helped patients safely transition from hospital care to recovery at home by addressing barriers related to medications, nutrition and medical equipment. Through the Meds to Beds program, patients receive a 30-day supply of critical medications before discharge, helping ensure continuity of care and reducing the risk of complications after hospitalization.

The program recently expanded with two major initiatives: nutritional support for patients experiencing malnutrition and Community Health Worker certification for the entire Med Assist team. Patients who qualify for nutritional support now can receive supplements to support healing and recovery, while certified Community Health Workers provide more holistic support related to insurance, medication access, transportation and other social needs.

Med Assist also connects patients to ongoing assistance programs, community resources and durable medical equipment support, helping bridge the gap between hospital discharge and long-term wellness.

The impact is significant. In 2025, the program served more than 10,000 patients and provided nearly 900 vouchers for medications, nutritional supplements and medical equipment totaling more than $57,000 in support. Additionally, 90% of surveyed clients reported no additional emergency room visits or hospital admissions related to the condition for which they received assistance. To date in 2026, more than 2,500 patients have been served, providing 892 vouchers for medications, nutritional supplements and medical equipment in both Clark and Champaign Counties.