July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Card could provide prescription savings (09/05/07)
Jay County Commissioners
By By TRAVIS MINNEAR-
Help is on the way for residents who require prescription drugs not covered by insurance.
Jay County Commissioners have signed up for a benefit package through the National Association of Counties and Caremark, a pharmaceutical health care services company, that allows people to receive an average discount of 20 percent on medications not paid by insurance plans.
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. said he found out about the plan at a meeting of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners in December and thought it was a good idea.
"We figured we may as well get on board with this and help the people in our community," he said.
Benefits are offered at no cost and require no eligibility requirements other than Jay County residency, Auditor Freda Corwin said.
To be approved for the prescription discount cards for citizens, commissioners have to pay NACo annual membership costs of $460.
"It was minimal to have this benefit for county residents," Corwin said of the annual dues.
Several surrounding counties are participating in the plan. Corwin said Blackford County residents and people in other places have seen dramatic savings by using the card.
Cards are available at the Jay County Courthouse, health department and at locations throughout the county. Corwin also said Wal-Mart and CVS will honor discounts, which are valid only in Jay County.
At CVS on Meridian St. in Portland, Linda Butler said she would consider using the discount card if a qualifying situation arose. Currently, her medications are covered by insurance, but if things change she might use it help offset the rising cost of prescriptions.
"It makes a big difference when somebody's on a small income like I have been," she said.
Dale Widman, a pharmacist at CVS, said his employer is "more than happy" to accept discounts. He also said health insurance offers the best option for people but the NACo card could be a good alternative for people without coverage.
While waiting at the pharmacy at Wal-Mart on West Votaw Street, Portland resident Dawn Rupe said her insurance covers all of her prescription needs, but she would like to see diabetic testing supplies qualify for insurance or discounts.
"I have to test my blood but my insurance doesn't cover my test strips," Rupe said.
Dr. Stephen Myron, health officer for the Jay County Health Department, said his agency advocates the use of the NACo discount card whenever possible.
Although the card should not be considered a substitute for insurance, he said, it is a unique way to help cut costs of prescription drugs when coverage is not possible.
Myron noted sometimes products such as dermatology and birth control pharmaceuticals are not covered by some insurance plans and the discount card can a great resource to save money.
"There's just no down side on this," Myron said. "It most certainly is a wonderful thing for people that haven't had prescription coverage."[[In-content Ad]]
Jay County Commissioners have signed up for a benefit package through the National Association of Counties and Caremark, a pharmaceutical health care services company, that allows people to receive an average discount of 20 percent on medications not paid by insurance plans.
Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. said he found out about the plan at a meeting of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners in December and thought it was a good idea.
"We figured we may as well get on board with this and help the people in our community," he said.
Benefits are offered at no cost and require no eligibility requirements other than Jay County residency, Auditor Freda Corwin said.
To be approved for the prescription discount cards for citizens, commissioners have to pay NACo annual membership costs of $460.
"It was minimal to have this benefit for county residents," Corwin said of the annual dues.
Several surrounding counties are participating in the plan. Corwin said Blackford County residents and people in other places have seen dramatic savings by using the card.
Cards are available at the Jay County Courthouse, health department and at locations throughout the county. Corwin also said Wal-Mart and CVS will honor discounts, which are valid only in Jay County.
At CVS on Meridian St. in Portland, Linda Butler said she would consider using the discount card if a qualifying situation arose. Currently, her medications are covered by insurance, but if things change she might use it help offset the rising cost of prescriptions.
"It makes a big difference when somebody's on a small income like I have been," she said.
Dale Widman, a pharmacist at CVS, said his employer is "more than happy" to accept discounts. He also said health insurance offers the best option for people but the NACo card could be a good alternative for people without coverage.
While waiting at the pharmacy at Wal-Mart on West Votaw Street, Portland resident Dawn Rupe said her insurance covers all of her prescription needs, but she would like to see diabetic testing supplies qualify for insurance or discounts.
"I have to test my blood but my insurance doesn't cover my test strips," Rupe said.
Dr. Stephen Myron, health officer for the Jay County Health Department, said his agency advocates the use of the NACo discount card whenever possible.
Although the card should not be considered a substitute for insurance, he said, it is a unique way to help cut costs of prescription drugs when coverage is not possible.
Myron noted sometimes products such as dermatology and birth control pharmaceuticals are not covered by some insurance plans and the discount card can a great resource to save money.
"There's just no down side on this," Myron said. "It most certainly is a wonderful thing for people that haven't had prescription coverage."[[In-content Ad]]
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