County approves prescription program

Putnam County residents will soon have a new drug discount program available to them. Commissioners Gene Beck, Jim Baird and Kristina Warren approved the program during their meeting earlier this week.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) offers a Prescription Drug Discount Card program designed to help people who are un-insured and underinsured purchase prescription drugs at a discount.

County Commissioner Jim Baird remarked on the program during a Monday evening board 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, this simple discount card can save an average of 20 percent off the full retail cost of prescription medication.

The lowest retail price is guaranteed with membership. Caremark negotiates all discounts directly with participating pharmacies, and neither NACo nor the county receives any revenue from the program. The network includes more than 57,000 retail pharmacies.

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

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

It is easy to participate. There are no enrollment fees, no forms to fill out, no age or income requirements and no medical condition restrictions. The entire family is covered with just one card and virtually all commonly prescribed medicine is covered.

Consumers always receive the lowest retail price. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate available with the NACo card. If that occurs, consumers will receive the lower price. Either way, consumers should receive the best price available.

As of early September nearly two-dozen counties across the country reported saving more than one million dollars with the program. Montgomery County, Md. Reported saving $9.4 million, Snohomish County, Wash. saved $4.5 million and Pasco County, Fla. reports $3 million in savings.

"These are truly valuable cards counties are making available to American families at no cost to taxpayers," said NACo President Don Stapley.

"Many families are struggling to make ends meet with record-high gas and food prices. People need their medicine, but the costs continue to take up a larger portion of household budgets. By taking advantage of the savings available with the NACo card, families are able to use those extra dollars on other necessities."

The cards are not yet available in Putnam County but should be soon. Commissioners are not sure what office will distribute them yet but will announce that information once the cards arrive and become available.

For more information about the program and a list of participating counties and pharmacies, visit www.naco.org