Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents
(Summer 2008)

People living in Larimer County have two new ways to lower prescription drug costs. Free discount drug cards – one sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the other by the Larimer County Medical Society – will provide savings averaging 34- to 46-percent on any prescription drug not covered by insurance.

“Our doctors heard this was a good program, and they saw it as a way they could give back to the community,” says medical society executive director Clint Skutchan. “We hope it will help folks follow through on their physicians’ prescription advice.”

The cards may be downloaded from the medical society and Larimer County websites, respectively. They are also available at the Health District, local doctor’s offices and human services agencies.

Uninsured and underinsured individuals can benefit from the cards, and even those with prescription coverage can save on drugs not covered by their plan, says Larimer County Commissioner Kathay Rennels. “The NACo Card is available for anyone in Larimer County to use at participating pharmacies nationwide.”

Deb Delay, coordinator of the Health District’s Prescription Assistance program, recommends getting both cards, since each has different participating pharmacies that offer different discounts on different medications. “You might save only $1 with one card, but up to 75% off with the other,” says Delay.

To receive your discount, bring the cards with your doctor’s prescription to any participating pharmacy.

Delay suggests shopping around first by calling pharmacies for prices or using the price comparison tool offered on the medical society’s website.

“Consumers should also be aware that some medications are only $4,” Delay advises. “Check with Walmart, K-Mart, King Soopers, and Target pharmacies to find out which generics are on their $4 lists.”
 

The cards also offer other discounts – on some pet medications, hearing and vision products, health monitoring devices and laboratory tests. Read the terms on each card to understand what discounts apply.

“The Health District’s Prescription Assistance program is also a great resource,” Delay adds. The program helps people who meet income eligibility guidelines get their medications at a greatly reduced price, sometimes even free.

“Call us,” says Delay. “We’ve got the discount drug cards here, and we can answer questions about the cards and other resources for low-cost prescriptions.”