Discount drug card program celebrates anniversary with nearly $2 million in savings

Discount drug card program celebrates anniversary with nearly $2 million in savings

TALLAHASSEE – As the first anniversary of the Florida Discount Drug Card passes, 66,218 Floridians have signed up for the card since its launch on December 20, 2007. Members have saved over $1.9 million on prescription-drug costs.

"The Florida Discount Drug Card is helping families and seniors save money on their prescription-drug costs, and during these challenging times, it is important for Floridians to be aware of every opportunity to stretch their hard-earned dollars," Governor Charlie Crist said. "I encourage all qualifying Floridians to apply for the card today so that they can get the relief they deserve."

Individuals qualify for the card if they are age 60 and older and do not have prescription drug coverage, or if they are in the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap.

To make the discounts possible, pharmacy benefits manager Envision Pharmaceutical Services secures volume discounts on prescription drugs. Participating pharmacies must agree to the negotiated prices. The savings are then passed on to consumers. No tax dollars are needed to make the Florida Discount Drug Card available.

Pharmacy Participation

Governor Crist has encouraged all Florida pharmacies to participate in the program. More than 4,300 retail pharmacies accept the Florida Discount Drug Card. If a consumer learns a pharmacy is not enrolled in the program, it can be enrolled on a temporary basis so the consumer can immediately take advantage of the discount. A 24-hour pharmacy helpline is available at 1-800-361-4542 or TTY 1-866-763-9630 to assist with pharmacy enrollment. Once the pharmacy has signed a contract, it can permanently join the program.

Enrollment and Eligibility

To enroll in the program, applicants who do not have prescription drug coverage must provide their name and contact information as well as information about family members. Individuals under age 60 also must provide qualifying income information. Qualifying annual incomes for individuals under 60 are up to $31,200 for an individual, $42,000 for a family of two and $63,600 for a family of four. Income limits for other family sizes are available on the Web site.

There is no application fee for the Florida Discount Drug Card; however, there is a one time $1.50 activation fee added onto the cost of the first prescription and a $1.50 dispensing fee added to all prescriptions. If the pharmacy’s usual and customary price is lower than the Florida Discount Drug price, the customer will pay the lower price. Additionally, if the customer qualifies for any other prescription discounts, they will always pay the lowest price.

To apply for the Florida Discount Drug Card, visit www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com and complete an online application or enroll over the phone by calling 1-866-341-8894 or TTY 1-866-763-9630.

Cover Florida Health Care Access Program

To increase health care options for Floridians, Governor Crist last week launched the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program. It will make affordable, quality health insurance coverage and access to health care available to Florida’s 3.8 million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64, beginning January 5, 2009. Unanimously approved by the 2008 Legislature, Cover Florida was also created without tax dollars.

Two insurance carriers will be available statewide, and additional providers will serve Broward, Flagler, Miami-Dade and Volusia counties. The six carriers have designed 25 creative health insurance products, and each insurer offers at least two benefit options – a preventive care plan and a catastrophic plan with hospital coverage. Each plan has a robust set of benefit options that include coverage for preventive services, screenings, office visits, as well as office surgery, urgent care, hospital coverage, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetic supplies.

For more information about Cover Florida, visit www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com