Prescription drug discount cards available here for free

Published 5:56 am Sunday, September 25, 2011

In these trying economic times, everyone is interested in saving money.

That’s why officials with Whitfield County government are promoting prescription drug discount cards that may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage.

The program, which started in Whitfield County in July 2008, was designed for uninsured and underinsured county residents but is open to everyone. Through a partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Caremark, this simple discount card can save an average of 24 percent off the full retail cost of prescription medication.

“It’s easy to participate,” a county spokesman said. “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.”

There is no cost to the county, county taxpayers, or consumers to participate. Caremark negotiates the discounts directly with participating pharmacies.

The program also has a safety feature that alerts pharmacists when one medication may have an interaction with another medication the cardholder is taking, if the prescriptions were obtained with the NACo Prescription Discount Card. The program is a useful option with Medicare Part D. For example, the card can be used when a Medicare Part D plan doesn’t cover a medication.

You can pick up the cards at the Whitfield County Administrative Building No. 1, 301 W. Crawford St., 706-275-7500; Senior Center, 302 Cappes St., 706-278-3700; Family Support Council, 1529 Waring Road, 706-272-7919; and Department of Family and Children Services, 1142 N. Thornton Ave., 706-272-2331.

Several pharmacies in the county accept the card, including:

• Wal-Mart (2545 E. Walnut Ave., and 815 Shugart Road),

• CVS (2150 E. Walnut Ave.),

• Rite Aid (1320 Cleveland Hwy.),

• Professional (1100 Burleyson Road),

• Kroger (1365 W. Walnut Ave.),

• Bi-Lo (1287 Cleveland Hwy.),

• Walgreen’s (1247 W. Walnut Ave.),

• Valu-Rite (1006 Professional Blvd.),

• Valu-Med (2705 Airport Road, Suite 102),

• Cherokee (1506 N. Thornton Ave.),

• Kmart (1203 Cleveland Hwy. and 1308 W. Walnut Ave.),

• S&W (1710 Cleveland Hwy.),

• Frank’s (1007 S. Thornton Ave.),

• Family (1100 E. Walnut Ave., Suite 17),

• Weaver’s (2600 Old Chattanooga Road, Rocky Face),

• Tunnel Hill Pharmacy (3535 Chattanooga Road),

• White’s (2955B Cleveland Hwy.),

• Hamilton Medical Center (1200 Memorial Drive),

• Center for Spine & Pain Medicine (1413 Chattanooga Ave.),

• Sutton Family Pharmacy (3957A Cleveland Hwy.).

Besides the local pharmacies accepting the card, a national network of more than 60,000 retail pharmacies also will honor it.

There is no cost to county taxpayers for NACo and Whitfield County to make these money-saving cards available to residents. Neither NACo nor the participating counties receive any revenue from the program.

The average price a resident saves on each prescription with the discount card is $16.29.

Frequently Asked Questions about the program

How much does the program cost?

Your prescription discount card is provided to you free of charge by the county.

Does everyone in my family need an individual card?

No. Everyone in the family may use the same card if desired.

Can I use this card to get discounts on my pet’s medication(s)?

Yes, if your pet has been prescribed a medication that is also used to treat a human condition, you may receive a discount on the medication by taking the prescription to a participating retail pharmacy.

I just received my card. Can I use it right away?

Yes, just use your card to start saving immediately. Present your prescription discount card at a participating retail pharmacy when you fill or refill your prescriptions.

I’ve lost my card. How can I get a replacement?

Please visit www.caremark.com/naco to print a live ID card or call toll-free 1-877-321-2652.

Can I use my card to get discounts on over-the-counter products and non-prescription medications?

Not usually. However, discounts are available for many diabetic supplies.

How is this prescription discount program different from traditional prescription insurance?

This is not insurance; it is a prescription discount program. The card provides immediate discounts at the pharmacy. Upon presenting your card to the pharmacist, you will pay the lower of a discounted price or the pharmacy’s regular retail price. There are no claim forms to fill out and no limit to the number of times you can use the card. These discounts are available only at participating retail pharmacies.

Can I use my prescription discount card with my current insurance benefit to reduce my costs?

Your card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurance. However, you are able to use your card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by these plans.

Can I still use my prescription discount card if I sign up for a Medicare prescription plan?

Yes, you can use your prescription discount card anytime you need to purchase a prescription that is not covered by your Medicare prescription plan or any other insurance.

Should I use my prescription discount card during my deductible and coverage gap periods for covered medications?

No. Only use your prescription discount card to purchase non-covered medications.

Can I use my prescription discount card in addition to my Medicare prescription plan and get additional discounts?

No. You need to present either your Medicare prescription plan card or your prescription discount card. Only use your prescription discount card when purchasing medications not covered by your Medicare prescription plan.

I’m not going to sign up for a Medicare prescription plan. Can I still use my prescription discount card?

Yes, you can continue to use your prescription discount card just as you do today.

How much will I save?

While savings on each prescription may vary, you can save an average of 24 percent off of the pharmacy’s regular retail prices for prescription. In addition, you may save even more by choosing from our list of select medications. This list is comprised of products offering additional savings.

Will I always receive the lowest price?

Yes. You will receive the best price available to you through this program at the pharmacy. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate provided by the card. If that occurs, you will receive the lower price.

Can I find out the discounted price of my prescriptions before going to the pharmacy?

Because prices can vary by location, only the actual pharmacy can tell you the exact price of the prescription. However, you can look up an estimated price for medications at www.caremark.com/naco, or call toll-free 1-877-321-2652.

If I show my prescription discount card, can I get an additional discount off a generic medicine listed on the flat rate pricing plan?

No, when presenting your prescription discount card, you will receive either the pharmacy’s regular price for the prescription medicine or the prescription discount card discounted price, whichever is lower. If the flat rate price for select generics is lower than the prescription discount card price, you will pay the flat rate. With the prescription discount card, you will receive the best price available for your prescription medicine on that day from that pharmacy.