WOONSOCKET, R.I., and WASHINGTON — Counties across the country saved more than $107 million on their prescription medications last year through the National Association of Counties Prescription Discount Card Program, administered by CVS Caremark Corp.
According to data released Wednesday by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and CVS Caremark, residents of counties participating in the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program saw an average discount per prescription of 24%. The free program is designed to help underinsured and uninsured Americans save money on prescription drugs.
"At CVS Caremark, we recognize that medication adherence can positively affect a patient’s health, while also helping to reduce overall health care costs," Troy Brennan, executive vice president and chief medical officer at CVS Caremark, said in a statement. "The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program helps reduce the cost of medications — one of the most frequently cited barriers to taking medications as prescribed — and is one example of the many tools and programs we administer to help support medication adherence."
Once a county signs up for the NACo program, the free discount card can be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income or current health insurance coverage. Cardholders and their family members use the card when their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.
The cards are accepted at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, including national pharmacy chains, regional drug store chains and independent pharmacies. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee, and no restrictions or limits on how frequently the card can be used, according to NACo and CVS Caremark.
"The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program was originally launched in 2004 to help consumers cope with the high price of prescriptions, and today more than 1,300 counties across the United States participate in the program," stated Larry Naake, executive director of the National Association of Counties. "This program provides county residents with a no-cost, easy-to-use benefit that enables them to afford medications that may not be covered by their current insurance."
