CONTACT: Robin K. Santangelo, Public Information Officer, 301-600-2590
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rsantangelo@fredco-md.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Discount Cards Offer Average Savings of 20 Percent Off Retail Price
FREDERICK COUNTY LAUNCHES PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM
FREDERICK, MD – Frederick County launched a prescription discount card program today to help citizens cope with the high price of prescription drugs. Residents will soon receive a free prescription drug discount card in the mail that offers average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. All county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage, may use the card.
“Frederick County is proud to offer this program to our citizens,” said Commissioner Jan Gardner, speaking on behalf of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners. “The prescription discount card offers significant savings for uninsured and underinsured residents of our county. Even those fortunate to have prescription coverage may use the card to save money on drugs not covered by their health plan.”
The discount cards are also available at the Community Action Agency, the Department of Aging and all Senior Center locations, the Department of Social Services, branches of Frederick County Public Libraries, the Health Department, the Up County Family Center and Winchester Hall.
For more information about the Frederick County prescription discount card program, residents can call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit www.co.frederick.md.us/Rxcard.
“Using the Frederick County prescription discount card is easy,” said Acting Health Officer Margo Smith. “Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance, or if the card offers a greater discount than their insurance.”
Participating pharmacies include: Costco, CVS, Frederick Community Pharmacy, Frederick Oncology Hematology, Giant Eagle, Giant, Green Valley, Kmart, Medicine Plus, QD, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sams Club, Super Fresh, Target, Terrapin, Twin Knolls, Union Bridge, Walkersville, Wal-Mart, Weis, and Whitesell & Bowen.
The card is not associated with or a replacement for the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan or any other prescription drug programs.
The prescription discount card program is administered by Caremark and is provided to residents as a joint effort of Frederick County Government and the National Association of Counties, a full-service organization that provides legislative, research, technical and public affairs assistance to the nation’s 3,066 county governments.