Santa Clara County launched a new program this week to assist
residents lacking adequate health insurance with the purchase of
necessary prescription drugs.
Santa Clara County launched a new program this week to assist residents lacking adequate health insurance with the purchase of necessary prescription drugs.
Everyone who buys prescription drugs is eligible for the program which saves consumers an average of 22 percent on medications that are not covered by health insurance. Residents need only to print out a “prescription discount card” online from a county Web site in order to take advantage of the discount, according to county spokeswoman Laurel Anderson. The cards are also available at county libraries, Social Service Agency headquarters, and the county administration building.
Morgan Hill resident Frank Wilczewski used the new card Thursday at CVS on East Dunne Avenue to buy medication for a one-time ailment that his insurance didn’t approve. He said his other medications for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and Motrin cost about $100 per month, but his insurance takes care of most of that cost.
“This will come in handy when your insurance doesn’t cover everything. It will help a lot of unemployed people,” said Wilczewski, 49.
More than 200 pharmacies in Santa Clara County, including seven in Morgan Hill, accept the discount cards. Another 59,000 pharmacies throughout the country are also participating in the program, which is sponsored by the National Association of Counties.
There is no budget or end date for the program, and residents can use the discount cards as often as they purchase prescription medications. And there is no direct cost to taxpayers, as Anderson explained the discount was achieved through negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.
County officials announced the program Tuesday, touting its simplicity and helpfulness to uninsured people who may be unhealthy because they cannot currently afford medications they need.
“Making the NACO prescription discount card available for Santa Clara County residents is one of many ways we are leveraging resources for everyone’s benefit,” Supervisor Liz Kniss said. “There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on the frequency of use.”
Officials did not have an estimate of how many locals would benefit from the program. Nationwide, between 40 and 50 million people lack health insurance, and Supervisor Don Gage said “you have to assume” that some of those live in South County.
Residents can visit the Web site sccgov.org/prescriptions to print a discount card and find pharmacies that are participating in the discount program.
Participating Morgan Hill pharmacies
-CVS (formerly Longs), 850 East Dunne Ave.
-Wal-Mart Pharmacy, 170 Cochrane Plaza
-Safeway Pharmacy, 840 East Dunne Ave.
-Safeway Pharmacy, 235 Tennant Station
-Target Pharmacy, 1061 Cochrane Road
-Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 16000 Monterey St.
-Walgreens, 745 East Dunne Ave.
