PENOBSCOT COUNTY DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

It has been said that you should watch out for things that seem too good to be true. There are exceptions to this sage advice however, as evidenced by the Penobscot County Prescription Discount Card.

The Penobscot County Commissioners teamed up with the National Association of Counties, (NACo) to take advantage of educational and financial benefits that would be helpful to all those who live or work in Penobscot County. And what could be more helpful than saving money on prescriptions?

“During the past 12 months, the Penobscot County Prescription Discount Program has saved consumers over $30,000,” said Barbara Veilleux, Penobscot County employee and a member of the Health Advisory Council, which reviews all types of health related issues for the county. “And that’s with only a monthly average of 77 individuals using the card. Just imagine how much more could be saved if more people took advantage of this program.”

While participant numbers may be a bit low, which frankly seems odd, I mean, this is a free card and an opportunity to save money at the drug store. You’d think people would be clamoring for one. I love mine.

Still and all, the savings are impressive. The NACo website quotes an average savings of 24 percent, however Penobscot County residents have actually saved an average of 25.97 percent over the past 12 months. You could be part of that statistic.

The card is free to everyone who is a Penobscot county resident or who lives in another county but works in Penobscot and is geared toward the uninsured or underinsured. While, it cannot be used to cover co-pays for medications purchased under a health insurance plan, it may be used to get a discount on medications that are not covered by insurance.

The card could also be helpful to seniors who are not yet eligible for Medicare benefits. And on a very positive note: and it may be used to discount medications for pets, provided the prescription is filled in a pharmacy and not at the vet’s office.

“The program 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,” according to a naco.org Fact Sheet. “The NACo Prescription Discount Card 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.”

So, how do you get one of your own?

“Getting a card is very easy,” said Veilleux. “Just visit the NACo website at www.nacorx.org and print your own card, find participating pharmacies or look up the cost of your prescription. Cards are also available at the county office here at 97 Hammond Street in Bangor.”

Adults with disabilities or homebound individuals without internet access can call Veilleux at 942-8566 and she will mail them a card.

Let’s break this down because this is a chance of a lifetime.

· The card is free and has no fee, premium or enrollment. Remember this is a prescription discount card, not an insurance card.

· There is no age or income requirement.

· No limit on the number of times the card may be used and only one card is needed per family.

There are no “strings” attached so there is nothing to lose by trying out the card the next time you fill a prescription. The cards are easy to obtain and easy to use so visit www.nacorx.org and print off your card or call Veilleux and start saving money today.