Peoria County government is introducing a beneficial new program that offers discounts on prescription drugs to all county residents. Through our partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), we now offer free prescription drug discount cards for residents to use at participating pharmacies. Peoria County is one of the first counties in the nation to offer this program and help our citizens—regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage—cope with the high cost of prescription drugs.
There’s no enrollment form, no membership fee, and no restrictions or limits on frequency of card use associated with this program. You don’t have to be a Medicare beneficiary to be eligible. The prescription discount card offers significant savings for the uninsured and insured alike. Even individuals who have prescription coverage can use this card to save on drugs not covered by their health plan. To take part in the program, one need only obtain a card and present it at a participating pharmacy; no registration is required, and no personal information is requested.
To obtain a free discount card, residents should check with their city or village hall office, township office, or library. Many local mayors, village presidents, township supervisors, and library officials are distributing cards at their locations for your convenience. Cards can be picked up at Friendship House, Central Illinois Agency on Aging, Rural Peoria County Council on Aging, and South Side Mission. Cards also are available at the following county facilities: Peoria City/County Health Department, Bel-Wood Nursing Home, and the Peoria County Courthouse.
While this program isn’t insurance, it does offer significant savings to those who present the discount card at one of 57,000 participating retail pharmacies nationwide. Using the card is easy: consumers present the card at the time of purchase to receive the lowest price. If the discount card price is lower than the retail price, the consumer will be charged the discount card price and vice-versa.
NACo reports an average savings of 20 percent on the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs when the discount card is used at a participating pharmacy at the time of purchase. The discount card also can be used when traveling, for mail-order prescriptions, and for pet prescriptions purchased at participating pharmacies. Currently, more than 50 pharmacies in Peoria County accept the discount card, including all CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, and Wal-Mart pharmacies. Check with your local pharmacy for participation.
Peoria County’s top priority for 2006 is to deliver quality services to our citizens in a professional manner. We feel this beneficial program not only helps us meet that strategic goal, but it also helps our citizens meet their need for more affordable prescription drugs. For more information, call Peoria County administration at 672-6056. IBI