Commissioners consider drug discount program

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Putnam County Commissioners will discuss the National Association of Counties (NACo) Drug Discount Card program, designed for uninsured and underinsured county residents, at their next meeting on April 7. The card is a simple discount card, which can save an average of 20 percent off the full retail cost of prescription medication.

There are no enrollment fees, no forms to fill out, no age or income requirements and no medical condition restrictions. An entire family is covered with one card and most commonly prescribed medicine is covered.

County Commissioner Jim Baird remarked on the program during a Monday evening meeting. "This doesn't cost anyone anything. It's free to the county and to people who join," he said.

Through a partnership with Caremark, all discounts are negotiated directly with participating pharmacies. Neither NACo nor the participating counties receive any revenue from the program. The network includes more than 57,000 retail pharmacies.

The lowest retail price is guaranteed with membership.

Everyone is eligible and cards are free to residents living in participating NACo member counties.

There are even discounts to veterinary prescriptions for pets. The program does however, only cover drugs not already covered by insurance.

Commissioners will discuss joining the drug card program at their next meeting on April 7 at 6 p.m. in the county annex.

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