In the day and age, with job layoffs at an all time high, nabbing a 30 percent discount on one or more prescription drugs sounds like a fairy-tale story.
But the Carthage Area United Way Inc. is ensuring that could happen. Executive Director Jenny Mansfield will be passing FamilyWize prescription drug cards out this week to participating United Way members. Carthage residents who presently don’t have insurance or need medicines not covered by their current insurance plans can utilize the cards.
“Because of the economy, if you already have a prescription program or have insurance, this might not be a deal for you, but it never hurts to check if you can save a couple of bucks or even 20 cents of a prescription,” or even save money on one of seven monthly prescriptions, Mansfield said.
“The whole issue here with United Way is to educate, income and health, and so we’re trying to educate people to help better their income and it always has proven that (through) better education, you will have better income and better health.”
The cards are now being offered at various locations throughout town. Best yet, they are free of charge — there’s no age restriction, income restrictions or limit on how many times it can be used with no waiting to get a card. Better yet, they can be used over and over again.
Nationwide, more than 800 participating United Way agencies in 50 states have volunteered to coordinate the local distribution of the free FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards.
“It’s not a coupon,” Mansfield stressed, “this is a prescription card.
“Forty percent of adults don’t buy the medicine they need, have difficulty affording or reduce the required dosage because of the high cost.
“The FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards will help individuals and families who otherwise could not afford to buy the medicine they need. Too many people have insufficient coverage, no prescription coverage or need medications not covered by their insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or VA benefits.”
The FamilyWize cards are accepted at Price Cutter, Vista, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Wilkinson Pharmacies in Carthage. People with Internet access can go to www.FamilyWize.org to print a card, look up drug prices and get a list of participating pharmacies/businesses with cards.
Cards are now available at the Carthage Press front desk.
Mansfield said she has 4,000 cards and 100 display holders, but more can be shipped to Carthage if needed.
“It’s truly amazing what we can accomplish when we all work together,” she said. “So many people and organizations have joined together to make this possible.
Anyone interesting to display these cards — banks, grocery stores — can call Mansfield at (417) 358-2948 for more information.
