Florida Launches Virtual Discount Drug Card Promotion
All Florida residents eligible to save on medications regardless of age, income status.
Following the successful expansion of Florida Discount Drug Card access to all residents earlier this year, Governor Charlie Crist today visited Gadsden County Senior Services in Quincy to announce two new promotions for the medication savings program.
Beginning today in Miami, an innovative pilot program featuring a “virtual” Florida Discount Drug Card will get underway.
Meanwhile, tear-off brochures featuring ready-to-use Florida Discount Drug Cards are being made available for free at various public locations throughout the state, with a special focus on Panhandle residents recovering from the oil spill.
“These exciting initiatives are going to reach thousands of Floridians looking for ways to save on their prescription drugs,” said Governor Crist. “The Florida Discount Drug Card is available for free and significantly reduces the cost of medications at a time when families and seniors need it most.”
During his visit to the senior center, Governor Crist emphasized the benefits of the Florida Discount Drug Card. The Governor also highlighted the program’s success, having enrolled more than 166,000 participants since its launch on December 20, 2007, and processed almost 500,000 prescriptions.
The program has saved participants more than $8.4 million at no cost to the participants or the State of Florida. The average savings rate across brand and generic medications combined is more than 33 percent.
The Miami program consists of a “virtual” drug card which is sent via text message. Information about the program will begin airing on local radio stations in Miami-Dade County, encouraging Floridians to send a text message with the letters FDDCRX to the number 22700 from their cell phone or PDA.
The participant will receive two text messages in return. The first message explains that the “virtual” card is accepted at participating pharmacies and that the program is not a substitute for insurance. The participant is then instructed to enter the word “DATA” to receive a second text message which can serve as an actual Florida
Discount Drug Card, with all of the information a pharmacy needs to process a discount.
In response, a text message will be returned immediately with all of the information needed to use to show a pharmacist and save on medications. The commercials will air for 30 days in Miami-Dade County, but all Floridians statewide can use the text message system and the “virtual” cards will remain effective indefinitely.
Meanwhile, tear-off brochures featuring ready-to-use Florida Discount Drug Cards will be available in the near future beginning in the Panhandle region at locations such as local BP Claims Centers, One-Stop Career Centers, County Health Departments, and the Florida Department of Children and Families’ ACCESS service centers.
The Florida Discount Drug Card, initially offered to qualifying seniors or low-income families and individuals beginning in December 2007, was made available to all Florida residents in April 2010. Florida residents who meet the original qualifying criteria may be eligible for additional savings.
There are no waiting periods to receive the Florida Discount Drug Card, no pre-existing condition restrictions, no membership fees and the card instantly activates. More than 60,000 pharmacies are participating nationwide, including a mail order option.
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.
If a consumer learns a pharmacy is not enrolled in the program, it can be enrolled quickly, so the consumer can immediately take advantage of the discount. A 24-hour pharmacy helpline is available to assist with questions from the participant or to aid in pharmacy enrollment.
The Florida Discount Drug Card Web site provides an easy-to-use pharmacy locator tool, as well as a drug pricing index that aids participants in finding the low-cost pharmacy in their neighborhood zip code.
No tax dollars are used to make the Florida Discount Drug Card available. A public-private partnership with Envision Pharmaceutical Services (EPS) makes the discounts possible.
EPS is a pharmacy benefits manager that secures volume discounts on prescription drugs, passing savings on to consumers. Participating pharmacies must agree to the negotiated prices.
Floridians can request a Florida Discount Drug Card by visiting www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com, or by calling 1-866-341-8894 or TTY 1-866-763-9630.
Information on the Web site is available in English and Spanish with a Creole version available soon.
Multilingual drug card service representatives are available by calling the toll-free number.
Topics: 2010, affordable health, affordable prescription drugs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, BP, Cover Florida Health Care, families, Florida, Florida Discount Drug Card, Florida Medicaid Health Information Network, FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com, Governance, Governor Charlie Crist, Gulf Coast, health care, health care benefits, low income families, low prices, medication savings program, Miami, moniter, monitor, news, oil spill, Panhandle, prescription discounts, prescription drugs, preventive care, residents, retail pharmacies, seniors, U.S., United Healthcare, United States, virtual drug card
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Osama Bin Laden Dead?
- Florida To Share $1 Billion For Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts
- Texas Prays For Rain During Extreme Drought Conditions
- Governor Christie Takes Action To Reduce Diesel Emissions, Improve Air Quality
- Governor McDonnell Outlines Draft Transportation Improvement Program
- Alaska Energy Bill Passes Legislature
- Illinois State Building Receives ENERGY STAR Award
- Homeland Security Begins Using National Terrorism Advisory System
- U.S. Outlines New Health Insurance Options For Graduating College Students
- Electrolux Expands In North Carolina, To Create 200 Jobs In Charlotte
- Virginia Storm Victims To Receive Tax Extension
- U.S. Expands Broadband Investment For Rural Areas To Accelerate Job Creation
- U.S. To Invest $130 Million For Advanced Energy Research
- Michigan Passes “I’m Sorry” Bill
- Kentucky Sells Two State Aircraft To Save Taxpayer Dollars
