Tulare County's prescription card ‘saves residents millions'
Tulare County announced Tuesday that its discount prescription card, Coast2Coast Rx, has saved residents more than $4.3 million on prescription costs since the program’s inception in February 2010.
This latest report demonstrates that constituents using the card have collectively saved more than $2 million since February 2012, more than doubling their savings for a one-year period.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors adopted the program in 2010 to serve the needs of constituents for numerous reasons: it provides significant cost savings to consumers; it provides discounts on other healthcare services; everyone is eligible to use it and it serves as a source of revenue for the county, generating $1.25 for Tulare County for each prescription filled using the card.
“Providing county residents with access to affordable prescriptions and health care options is a priority,” said Supervisor Steve Worthley in a press release issued Tuesday. “In today’s economy it is more important than ever to find services that improve the quality of life for our constituents while enhancing the community at large — Coast2Coast Rx card does both.”
The card reportedly saves county residents an average of more than 58 percent, with savings up 75 percent on more than 60,000 brand name and generic drugs. The discount program is offered at no cost and with no eligibility restrictions or membership requirements. By presenting the card when filling prescriptions at a chain or local pharmacy participating in the program, consumers can save money on their prescriptions, and through a partner program can save on dental, vision and hearing services as well as diabetes supplies and veterinary services. The card can be a significant cost-saver for those without health insurance and it also can be effective for those with insurance who have a high deductible or prescriptions that are not covered under their current plan. In some instances the card can be used to offset the Medicare Part D “donut hole.”
Coast2Coast Rx continues to expand its work with public departments and local nonprofit agencies to increase awareness of the card. The program does not require membership paperwork; residents can pick up or download and print free cards at www.coast2coastrx.com/ca/tulare/ and present the card at one of the many participating chain and local pharmacies.
“Our goal was to create a multi-faceted discounted prescription program that improves users’ health outcomes, helps consumers save a considerable amount of money, and provides a source of revenue for county programs,” said chief marketing officer Marty Dettelbach of Financial Marketing Concepts, the company that provides the cards. “We have achieved this goal with the Coast2Coast Rx card and, at the same time, have made it simple and easy to use.”
