GALLAWAY, Tenn. (June 2008) – The state of Tennessee is dispensing up to $900 worth of independence to its Medicaid patients thanks to new legislation and life-changing technology. The 105th General Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would allow funding for Assistive Technology to help keep individuals out of nursing facilities. The state has also approved the manufacturer of the AutoPills automated-medication dispenser, Gallaway One, as a Special Waiver Provider to the state of Tennessee.
“This is a monumental moment for at-need patients and their families who are faced with the decision to receive in-home care or enter a nursing home or assisted-living community,” said AutoPills Founder and President Allen Burggraf. “What this bill will allow is for individuals to maintain their independence in the comfort of their own home and provide their friends and family peace of mind in knowing their loved one will have a little help in remembering to take his or her medication in the right amount and on time.”
AutoPills distributes up to 15 pills of medication at up to five individually scheduled times per day with an easy-to-use programmable keypad. When medication is dispensed, an alarm sounds as a reminder to take the medication and continuously rings until the medication is taken, greatly reducing medication non-compliance.
“Forty percent of nursing-home admissions are a result of senior patients failing to take their prescription adequately, and each year $200 million is added to the U.S. health care bill because of medication noncompliance,” Burggraf said. “This bold move by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen will hopefully spark other states to begin providing these life-changing devices to Medicaid patients, to help assist in the proper administration of medication and insure a more independent way of life.”
About AutoPills
AutoPills is the industry leader in automated medication dispensers. The device dispenses up to 15 pills per dose at up to five individually scheduled times per day with a programmable keypad. When medication is dispensed, an alarm sounds as a reminder to take the medication and continuously rings until the medication is taken, greatly reducing medication noncompliance. For more information about AutoPills, contact Jason Michael at jmichael@blacktwigllc.com or visit www.autopills.com.
