ABINGDON, Va. – Not everyone in Washington County has health insurance, but under a new program, all county residents can get a discount on drugs.
The prescription drug discount cards being offered to county residents require no fees and no enrollment form. They can be used by anyone, regardless of age, health or insurance status.
According to the National Association of Counties, which sponsors the program for its member counties, residents can average 22 percent off the retail cost of prescription drugs.
“Medicare beneficiaries can use the card, and so can insured people, in cases where a prescription drug is not covered,” Supervisor Nicole Price said in a written statement announcing the program’s official start Monday. “Best of all, there is no cost to county taxpayers.”
Supervisor Tom Taylor said the board saw no downside for the county to participate in the program, and so decided to sign up.
The cards can be picked up at all branches of the Washington County Public Library, the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and county departments of health and social services.
The cards, accepted at most pharmacies, can be used immediately, and one card can be used by an entire household.
Jim Phillips, spokesman for NACo, said the discounts were negotiated between its partner in the project, CVS Caremark, and the drug companies.
He said the program, begun with a pilot project in 2004 and expanded nationwide in 2005, was an effort to give real benefits to the residents of member counties, which pay annual dues to the organization based on their population.
It is currently doing a pilot project on a similar discount program for dental care, which might be expanded in the future.
Primarily, NACo lobbies congress on behalf of issues facing local governments.
To find out more about the drug program, find pharmacies or check drug prices, visit caremark.com/naco.
dmccown@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701
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