Prescription plan comes to Lee County
Lee County launched a new prescription drug savings program this week that will help save the uninsured an average of 20 to 40 percent every year.
Board of County Commissioners Chairman Tammy Hall said she is very excited about the new health care Coast2Coast Rx prescription card because it will help put money back into individuals’ pockets. She said she is proud to introduce the program to Lee County residents due to the significant savings it will provide for the uninsured and the underinsured at no cost to the county taxpayers.
The new Coast2Coast Rx card allows county residents, regardless of their income, age or health status, to participate in a free discounted prescription drug program. Although the program is geared primarily for those who are uninsured, those who are insured can also use the card if they have a high deductible insurance plan or if their plan does not cover a certain prescription.
Although insured individuals can choose which card they want to use depending on the discount, only one card can be used when purchasing a prescription.
The card, which never expires and is free for an entire family, provides access to more than 59,000 participating major chain and independent pharmacies, along with more than 60,000 prescribed drugs. The discount card also includes anywhere from 50 to 80 percent discounts on lab imaging tests. The Coast2Coast Rx card also can be used to fill pet prescriptions at participating pharmacies.
The Coast2Coast Rx card also helps those who are cardholders of Medicare Part D coverage, due to them paying up to $1,500 per year due to out of pocket costs.
Those who use the card experiences an annual savings of 20 to 40 percent and a savings of up to 65 percent on brand name and generic prescriptions.
Another advantage for Coast2Coast cardholders is that it can be used anywhere in the United States.
Lee County will receive anywhere between a 50 to 75 cent royalty fee from the prescriptions sold to help subsidize health programs within the county.
Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. (FMC), out of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, is the owner of the Coast2Coast Rx card. The Coast2Coast Rx Card was first introduced to counties about two and a half years ago after it was implemented into various FMC programs for the past 20 years.
FMC Chief Marketing Officer Martin Dettelbach said the free prescription drug savings card is now in 50 different cities and counties in the United States. Lee County is the eighth county in Florida to participate in the program. Collier County began participating in the program two years ago, Charlotte County last July and Sarasota County last August.
“It is doing very well,” Dettelbach said, adding that the program has already saved hundreds of thousands of dollars for individuals.
Naples has had between 5,000-5,500 prescriptions filled through the Coast2Coast Rx card, about 7,500 prescriptions in Sarasota were filled and 2,200 prescriptions filled in Charlotte County every month.
“It’s a win-win situation for residents of the county,” he said.
The cards can be picked up at Lee County government offices, health facilities and libraries, along with various chain pharmacies throughout the county. They also can be printed online at www.coast2coastrx.com/leefl.
Hall said individuals can download the card without leaving their living room.
The Coast2Coast Rx card, will replace the National Association of Counties (NACo) discount prescription card. Dettelback said the card will no longer be honored at pharmacies, so individuals need to make sure to pick up the new card.
Hall said Lee County is very fortunate to have Coast2Coast fill the gap, so they could continue to provide the free discount card.
For more information visit www.coast2coastrx.com/leefl.