In July, 2008, Northampton County began offering free prescription discount cards to residents. Thousands of cards have been issued, and 2,500 residents have saved over $150,000 in prescription drug costs.Lehigh County began offering free discount cards, too, and over the last eight months, its residents have saved $72,000 on 4,800 prescriptions..
“By partnering with NACo (the National Association of Counties) we have been able to save our residents a significant amount of money in prescription costs,” said Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. “But these cards aren’t just for the poor and elderly. They can be used by small businesses, the unemployed, or anyone who has a prescription to fill that’s not covered by insurance.”
You can expect to save an average of 23.8 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. For mail order prescriptions, the savings can be as high as 50 per cent.
Rosemarie Nonnemacher, a Macungie Borough employee who works part-time at a CVS pharmacy, said people are “grateful, delighted and surprised” by the amount of money they save on their prescriptions by using the card . “With so many people losing their jobs, we give out cards daily,” she said. “I have seen $50 savings on expensive prescription and people really do appreciate a break of even a few dollars.”
Would you like a card? Lehigh County residents can download the card at the county web page. Northampton County residents can download a free card here.
There is no cost to county residents and neither NACo nor Lehigh County benefit financially from the cards. The program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company.
About 100 pharmacies in Lehigh County accept the card.
Approximately 47 million people, or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population, did not have health insurance during 2006, according to the annual Census Bureau.
14 comments:
It's cheaper to buy American pharmaceuticals form Canada and Europe. You can do it on the Internet.
How does a person who doesn`t have a computer or know how to use one go about doing that ?
The cards are available at the courthouse and many pharmacies, too. All you have to do is ask for one. I've included links to downlocad the card for people who don't have time for a personal visit.
Northampton County was handing out Perscription cards back in 2002. This program is nothing new. Many Northampton County residents got the cards and saved many thousands of dollars.
Bernie,
This is a wonderful public service. Thank you for writing the story and for posting the links.
I have a friend who is unemployed and in real need of medical care and medicine. I referred her to Jenn Mann's office but they weren't able to help her.
Hopefully this program will at least make it affordable to get her prescriptions filled.
Lehigh County has used this prescription drug service for several years now. Kurt Derr did the legwork for Lehigh County with NACO, I think in 2005, and we found that this program helped quite a few residents cut their drug costs. Many times my friend who is a pharmacist called me for additional cards. It is very helpful when pharmacists know the plan and how it works. The state reps office should know about the card program by now, and have the cards. It is a discount card. And in todays world, every little bit helps. The county website should have a listing of available locations where one can obtain a card. If not the county can provide that information over the phone.
I remember the Northampton County perscription plan. My aunt got a card some years back by calling the Human Services Department.
Great program. I am still a bit underwhelmed by the Lehigh County usage!
Great program. I am still a bit underwhelmed by the Lehigh County usage!
since everybody in america is entitled to one of these cards, is there really any savings?
You are right 12:52. Northampton county did this 6 years ago but Ohare won't give credit to people he hates.
If Reibman did this 6 years ago, good for him. Why did he stop?
"is there really any savings?"
Yes, as reported above.
These are cards anyone can get. Ask at the drugstore they can secure you the same thing.
No big deal just some unearned free press for some govt. flunkies.
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