March 17, 2008

WEITZMAN: ‘NOW YOU CAN PRINT YOUR OWN NASSAU-RX DRUG DISCOUNT CARD.’

www.caremark.com/nassaurx/

The card that has already saved people

OVER $8 MILLION is even easier to obtain.

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman announced today that the NassauRx prescription drug discount card can now be printed out by anyone with access to a computer and printer, making it even easier to save money on hundreds of prescription drugs. Previously, the card could only be obtained by calling the Comptroller’s office or a toll-free number and requesting one.

“Now anyone with access to a computer can print out their own Nassau Rx card, sign it, and start saving on their prescription drug medications immediately,” Weitzman, who developed the card in 2004, said.

The NassauRx program is the largest one of its kind in the nation and is available to all Nassau residents, regardless of age, income, or insured status.  With the card, county residents can save an average of 24 percent on almost all prescription medications, and up to 50 percent on generic drugs, at more than 90 percent of Nassau pharmacies.  The card is free and requires no enrollment forms or fees and is administered by Caremark. 

Members of Weitzman’s staff demonstrated the quick and easy access to the drug discount card at a training session of directors, counselors, and volunteers from the Family and Children’s Association’s community outreach program. The group members will now educate their communities about the discount card and demonstrate how to access it.

“Because there are no age or income limits, Nassau HIICAP (Health Insurance Information Counseling Assistance Program) gives the NassauRx cards to all clients that take medication.This card saves the client money when they have no health insurance prescription coverage, or when their health insurance does not cover some of their meds,” said Diana Graham, HIICAP Coordinator for the Family and Children’s Associtation.

“My office created the free NassauRx card three years ago to save money for any Nassau County resident who lacks adequate insurance for prescription drugs,” Weitzman said.  “The NassauRx card provides a great discount, averaging 24 percent, for those who do not have drug insurance – and the program costs county taxpayers nothing.” 

The program has saved Nassau residents more than $8 million dollars since it began in 2004.

A large number of the NassauRx card users are senior citizens who find themselves caught in the Medicare Part D coverage gap or ‘doughnut hole.’  Approximately 40 percent of card users are over 65 years old, according to the latest numbers received from Caremark, the program administrator.

 “In 2007, more than 5,500 seniors saved over $700,000 by using the NassauRx card.  We believe that many of them use our card to reduce the impact of the ‘doughnut hole’ period, which requires them to pay full price for their medications,” Comptroller Weitzman said.  “It is extremely important that seniors continue taking their prescribed medication even when their insurance plan hits this coverage gap, and NassauRx is helping them to do just that,” Weitzman said.

When total drug costs of seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D exceed $2,400 per year, they hit the coverage gap, commonly referred to as the “doughnut hole.”  They then have to pay 100 percent of drug costs until their out-of-pocket costs reach $3,850.