October 28, 2009

Weitzman: ‘Watch your mailbox for your FREE NassauRx drug discount card!’

5th year anniversary of program and over $12 million saved

            Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman today announced that CVS Caremark, the administrator of the NassauRx drug discount card program, will be mailing a card to each Nassau County household, at NO COST to taxpayers, as part of Caremark’s new contract, which was recently approved by the Legislature.

             “There’s never been a better time for Nassau residents to receive a bonus like our NassauRx card,” said Weitzman. “If you are without health insurance, out of work, or find yourself faced with paying retail prices for any prescription drug, DON’T. With the NassauRx card, you’ll never have to pay retail prices again.”  

            Comptroller Weitzman created the Nassau drug discount program in 2004 and so far savings to cardholders has topped over $12 million. Caremark’s five-year contract was approved after an open bidding process.

Nassau County Legislator Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) was pleased to learn that every Nassau County resident will be receiving a NassauRx card in the mail. “This is great news for every taxpayer in the County,” he said. “When you have a good thing like our drug discount program, you want everyone to know about it. Nassau was the first County in New York State to offer this benefit and has since become a model for other governments.”

The NassauRx card was created in 2004 by Comptroller Weitzman to help Nassau residents save money on their healthcare needs. This year marks the Nassau Rx card’s fifth anniversary. Comptroller Weitzman and Legislator Toback celebrated the five year mark by holding a press event at the Ocean Chemists pharmacy, 3124 Long Beach Road in Oceanside, and meeting with several enthusiastic NassauRx cardholders. Diane Antman of Great Neck, brought along her son, Laurence, and his companion dog, Grace. Ms. Antman said she knows just how expensive medications for her son and even for Grace, can be.

"The beauty of the NassauRx discount program is that it is also available for our animal companions, that play such an important role in our lives,” said Ms. Antman.

Ocean Chemists has processed more than 3,300 prescriptions for customers who use the NassauRx card over the past three years.

"Too often customers who lost or had no insurance were coming in to price three or four prescriptions and asking which was the most important. The problem was they were all important,” said Pharmacist Jorge Winter. “I am looking forward to this program continuing in order to help Nassau County residents, regardless of age or income, continue to receive the medications they need.”

The free card is available to ALL Nassau residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage. It’s not insurance, but rather a free discount program that ensures Nassau residents never have to pay full retail price on many commonly prescribed drugs, whether brand name or generic.

-The card is free and requires no enrollment forms or fees and is administered by Caremark.It gives Nassau residents a discount off the retail price of drugs.

-The NassauRx card helps those who do not have drug insurance, or anyone who has to pay retail price for a particular drug. With the card, County residents can save an average of 24 percent on almost all prescription medications.

-It is accepted at 90 percent of Nassau County pharmacies.

-The card can also be used for discounts on some pet prescriptions, if the card holder has a VALID PRESCRIPTION for the pet; and if the medication has a HUMAN EQUIVALENT.

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.’ Many card users are over 65 years old, according to Caremark, the program administrator.

"In 2008, card users over 65 years old saved $1.1 million by using the NassauRx card. We believe that many of them use the card to reduce the impact of the ‘doughnut hole’ period, which requires them to pay full price for their medications,” 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.”

When total drug costs of seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D exceed $2,700 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 $4,350.

County residents who wish to obtain a NassauRx card or program information can call toll-free, 1-877-321-2652, or visit http://www2.caremark.com/nassaurx/ and print the card for themselves and family members, or call 516-571-2677. The site also allows consumers to check the NassauRx price for any drug covered under the plan.