abouThealth

Free Prescription Discount Without A Catch
By DEBBIE PETERSON

What if someone handed you a free prescription discount card that would save you money on your prescriptions? It sounds too good to be true, right? Not in this case. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has developed the card and it is being distributed by Brazos County. By simply obtaining a card and presenting it to participating pharmacies, Brazos County residents can save an average of 20% on prescription medications.

“The biggest obstacle to getting people to pick up and use the cards is that they are free,” said County Commissioner Kenny Mallard. “People find it hard to believe that something you get for free could really save them money.”

Everyone assumes there must be a catch, but if there is, it is not for the card user. The National Association of Counties is using the card as an incentive to get counties to join their organization. Only member counties like Brazos County can use the discount cards. Mallard feels that the cost to join the NAC, which is about $2,900 a year, is reasonable for the services that the organization provides in addition to the discount cards.

The NACo made agreements with pharmaceutical companies for the discounts that the cards provide. The discount varies depending on the brand and type of medications, rather than giving a set percentage off the total cost. The card cannot be used along with prescription insurance, but if the savings would be greater with the card, it can be used in place of insurance.

Mallard emphasized trying the card every time you fill a prescription, saying that although you might only save a few dollars with one prescription, with another you might save a lot. Also, some prescriptions are not covered by insurance and the card could be used in those instances. Even certain pet medications are covered by the discount card.

Families can share the cards with other people as long as they live in Brazos County. Most area pharmacies are participating in the program, including Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, H.E.B., Target, Kroger, Albertson’s and Scott and White. See www.caremark.com/naco to see if your pharmacy is included. Cards can be picked up at Brazos County Courthouse and the Brazos Center offices, as well as both city halls.

Mallard said that about 1,000 people used the cards in the first two months they were available. In the first month, the users saved about $9,800 and in the second month, about $14,100. As the word gets out, the county hopes that more will use the card and the saving will grow.