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Prescription discount cards on their way
The county follows Hernando's lead by offering, through a private company, cards that will let residents save on medications.
By ELENA LESLEY
Published July 2, 2006
Citrus County residents will soon be able to save up to 30 percent on prescription medications - for humans and for pets. The county's new discount prescription cards will start appearing in pharmacies, doctors' offices and veterinary clinics in about two months, said County Commissioner Gary Bartell. All people have to do is pick one up. "Usually, if something is too good to be true, it is," Bartell said. "But this really is a fantastic program." Hernando County began offering the same discount cards in the fall and residents have signed on, said County Commission Chairwoman Diane Rowden. "It's been very successful - 3,057 people have taken advantage, with an average savings of 22 percent," she said. The program is run through a partnership between the National Association of Counties and Caremark RX, a for-profit company. Caremark negotiates with pharmacies to offer a discount off retail prices. The company receives a small fee the pharmacy pays on each transaction. Pharmacies participate in order to attract customers to their stores. "It's a win-win situation for everyone," Bartell said. He says he was apprehensive when he heard about the program. It was hard to believe there wouldn't be hidden costs. But after extensive research, Bartell decided the program would be a great way for residents to save money, with no cost to the county. Commissioners approved entering the program at a recent meeting. Though it's not a substitute for insurance, "it will help people who don't have insurance or have limited insurance," Bartell said. Any resident can get a card, but the savings aren't cumulative. In other words, you can't take another 25 percent off what your insurance already pays for, Bartell said. Savings can range from 13 to 30 percent, depending on the medication. "It's not a cure-all, but it sure will help," Bartell said. Elena Lesley can be reached at elesley@sptimes.com or 564-3627.
[Last modified July 1, 2006, 23:50:33]
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