By Michael Salerno
For Hometown News
SOUTH DAYTONA - Next time residents need to fill a prescription, it might cost a little less - if they have one of the prescription discount cards now offered by the City.
The City partnered with the National League of Cities to provide residents with prescription drug discount cards, which could save them an average of 23 percent off the retail prices of medications.
The program, which began last week, offers the discount cards free of charge with no restrictions based on a resident's age, income level or existing health coverage. Cards can be used in pharmacies across the city, or at more than 60,000 participating retail pharmacies nationwide, according to city staff.
Trudy O'Dell, the city's Human Resources Director, said the cards would help give relief to uninsured residents, as well as residents whose insurance does not cover certain prescriptions.
"This card helps residents who are completely uninsured, as well as residents who have insurance, but have specific medications that are not covered by their insurance," she said. "In both scenarios, residents experience significant savings on prescription medications not covered by health plans."
The League's prescription discount card program is a national program with over 400 cities participating nationwide. South Daytona is the third city in Volusia County to opt into the program, following Ormond Beach and DeBary.
City Manager Joseph Yarbrough said the discount prescription cards would offer lower rates for prescription drugs.
"Many times you'll find more competitive pricing through the pharmacies than you would through the formulary setup with the health care provider you might be on," he said.
After speaking to another city manager whose city entered into the League's program, Mr. Yarbrough said he was surprised to learn that many prescriptions were "much cheaper" using the discount cards.
Councilwoman Nancy Long also spoke favorably about the program, particularly because it would help uninsured residents.
"This would really be a benefit, because we (city councilors) know a lot of our residents don't have health care right now," she said.
Cards are available at City Hall and the Piggotte Community Center, or can be printed online at www.caremark.com/nlc. Residents can use the web site or call toll-free at (888) 622-1749 to find out which pharmacies participate in the program.