Palm Beach County leaders back discount prescription program for residents
16.08.2011, 18:04
Palm Beach County residents soon could have a new option for getting cheaper prescription drugs: a discount card they could pick up at courthouses, libraries and county buildings.
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County commissioners on Tuesday endorsed the idea of joining a free program sponsored by the National Association of Counties to offer prescription drug discount cards, following Broward County. Savings average 21 percent, and the discounts also apply to pet medications.
Cardholders are eligible for higher discounts when obtaining a three-month supply of some medications through the mail.
There are no eligibility requirements or restrictions on how often the card can be used.
County governments negotiated with Caremark Rx Inc., which is owned by CVS Pharmacy, to start the discount program two years ago. Palm Beach County would be one of more than 700 communities participating.
The county would make the cards publicly available at county-owned buildings, although no date was set for distribution.
"This is something that the people of Palm Beach County and their pets will come to appreciate down the road," said Commissioner Mary McCarty, who brought the idea forward.
Officials stressed the program is not insurance but a discount that has been negotiated with the pharmacies.
The card cannot be used in addition to insurance coverage. However, officials said a person with insurance could compare the card's discount price with the insurance co-pay and choose the less expensive.
Also, they could use the card to obtain drugs not covered by their insurance, or a brand-name drug if their insurance requires generic medicine. For those with Medicare, the card can be used if a Medicare Part D plan doesn't cover a particular medicine.