“Indiana’s FREE Discount Prescription Drug Card Program”

August 17, 2011 ― The City of Jeffersonville has enrolled in a program helping Hoosiers with their prescription drugs.

The city has partnered with Indiana Drug Card to offer a discount prescription card to anyone living or working in Clark County. The cards are sponsored by drug companies and the participating pharmacies. There are more than 56,000 pharmacies accepting the cards nationwide.

The cards offer an average savings of 30 percent, but some prescriptions are discounted as much as 75 percent.

The cards can be printed out online at the City of Jeffersonville's website, or they can be picked up at City Hall and all five fire departments. You do not have to use your name on the card, just a telephone number. If you do have insurance, you cannot get a discount on medicines that your insurance covers, but you can use them for ones that are not covered.

August 16, 2011

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN (WAVE) ― A prescription drug discount card unveiled by Mayor Tom Galligan this afternoon could save people living and working in Clark County an average of 30 percent on prescriptions if they lack drug coverage or require prescriptions not covered under their insurance plan.

According to a federal Government Accountability Office report released in March, prices for 100 common prescription drugs increased 6.6 percent annually between the first quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2010, compared to 3.8 percent annual increases in overall medical costs during the same period.

"There's been a lot of talk about medical costs in the United States during the past few years," said Galligan. "This is something simple we can offer - and at no cost to the city or the consumer - to help get discounts on prescriptions that people would otherwise pay full price for."

The City of Jeffersonville is providing prescription discount cards through Indiana Drug Card. While the average savings is about 30 percent, some medications receive discounts of up to 75 percent.

Cards can be obtained on the home page of the city's Web site (www.cityofjeff.net) or at the Sewer Billing Office on the first floor of City Hall at 500 Quartermaster Court. Cards will soon be available at all five of the city's fire stations, as well.

The discount cards are honored at more than 56,000 pharmacies nationwide. Pharmacies with local presences that accept the cards include CVS, Kroger, Meijer, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.

Galligan said, "This card is accepted at thousands of U.S. pharmacies. While it's not the same as health insurance, it can make prescriptions more affordable to people without insurance or those who need medications not covered by insurance.

Hoosiers with no health insurance got a little help Wednesday in the form of a new prescription card.

The Indiana Drug Card is a free statewide prescription program that gives people discounts on popular medications. All Indiana state residents are eligible to get a card, and there are no enrollment forms to fill out.

The people behind the card say this is the perfect time for a program like this.

"With the current condition of the economy, people are looking to save money any way that they can, and rightfully so," said David Simms, Indiana Drug Card's development director. "With the jobs being cut and people losing their insurance, this is a very important program that is hitting right at the right time."

Simms said cardholders will save an average of 30 percent on prescriptions.

The program is funded entirely through the support of pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

To get a card, go to www.indianadrugcard.com.

INDIANA (WFIE) ― As the health care debate rages on, some programs are already in place to help ease the burden on consumers, including a new prescription payment plan.

According to a St. Mary's pharmacist, the average 30 day prescription for a name brand heartburn medication can run close to $40, and that's with insurance.

Without insurance, it costs $150.

That difference is why a group of pharmacies launched the Indiana drug card.

"With the economy the way it is, it's expensive," insurance holder Bryant Grigsby said.

Grigsby's wife just got out of surgery, so he's filling her prescription. Luckily, this time he won't have to pay for it, but Bryant admits this check-out brings back bad memories.

"It's usually $30 to $50 for anything, or actually more than that," Grigsby said.

Grigsby has some insurance. Think about the tens of thousands of un-insured Hoosiers paying twice that amount, and more.

A new statewide prescription assistance program is slashing prices, making sure these medications are affordable to everyone.

All residents have to do is register for a free Indiana drug card, then using this website, Hoosiers can find the pharmacy where the discount is offered, or compare prices from other pharmacies. This way, they'll get the best savings.

St. Mary's Apothecary Manager Joe Merkel said many of his customers are taking advantage of similar programs like this, but still for those who may not qualify, or find their medication at a good price, he recommended speaking with your doctor.

"There's a wide variety of drugs that can be prescribed for a minimal amount of cost if doctors were willing to maximize patients' medications to fit that list of medications so they'll have to pay as minimal as possible," Merkel said.

Fishers Town Talk (December 2011) page 6

Thanks to the Indiana Drug Card and the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Fishers residents now have access to a free discount prescription drug card.

There are no membership restrictions, income requirements, age limitations or applications to fill out. Cardholders can see savings of up to 75% on prescription drugs and the card is accepted at over 56,000 pharmacies across the country.

The free Fishers prescription drug card program was launched to help residents to afford their prescription drugs. This program can be utilized by any Fishers resident, regardless of their current insurance coverage. Those who are uninsured, underinsured or whose insurance does not include prescription benefits (this is common in many health savings accounts and high deductible health plans) can take advantage of this card for discounted costs on non-formulary or non-covered drugs.

To get your free discount prescription drug card visit one of the following locations: Fishers Town Hall, Fishers Police department reception desk and vehicles, Fishers Fire department reception desk and ambulances or the Fishers Train Station.

This opportunity is being funded through the participation of pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies throughout the country.

For more information on the program contact Natalie Meyer, Program Coordinator, at Natalie@indrugcard.com or 888-446-3979.

THE NEWS

West Lafayette city officials are distributing copies of a free prescription drug discount card available to all Hoosiers through a statewide assistance program.

THE DETAILS

Called the Indiana Drug Card, the program statewide has saved residents $5.8 million since its inception in 2009, according to the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. West Lafayette is distributing copies of the cards as part of the association's push to publicize the program, said Judy Rhodes, the city's clerk-treasurer. "We have so many students here in West Lafayette who don't have prescription coverage, or have very little coverage," Rhodes said. "This is going to be great for them." When presented to pharmacists, the drug card can save residents up to 75 percent on prescription medications, according to the state program's website. Average savings is about 30 percent. The card is accepted at more than 56,000 pharmacies around the country, including at most major pharmacy chains, the website said. The card cannot be paired with a private insurance card for additional savings, Rhodes said. She said it is not costing the city any money to distribute the cards. In a statement, Mayor John Dennis praised the program as one that will help those in need. "This is a great opportunity for area residents to save on the rising costs of prescription drugs," Dennis said.

WHERE TO GET ONE

The free Indiana Drug Card is available at www.indianadrugcard.com. At that website, residents can input their name to generate their copy of the card. West Lafayette city officials also will distribute copies of the card, imprinted with the city's logo, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Sagamore West Farmers Market. Officials also plan, Rhodes said, to post a link to the card on the city's website, www.westlafayette.in.gov Or residents can obtain a card at the clerk-treasurer's office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 609 W. Navajo St.

November 8, 2011

CROWN POINT ― Mayor David Uran announced last week the offering of a prescription drug card for all residents of the city through the Indiana Drug Card program and the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.

It is a free program that provides savings up to 75 percent on prescription drugs. The card can be used by people that have no prescription coverage, are uninsured or under-insured. This drug card an also be used by anyone with prescription coverage for non-formulary or non-covered drugs.

There are no restrictions to becoming a member based on the individual's income or age and no applications to fill out.

To get a card visit the city's web site at www.CrownPoint.in.gov and click on the Crown Point Rx Card link. For more information call the mayor's office at 662-3240.

While the Indiana Drug Card provides the Crown Point Rx Card, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies are also funding it. Many pharmacies that are part of other stores and not exclusively pharmacies also honor the card and are listed on the back side of the card.

August 17, 2011

JEFFERSONVILLE ― Indiana residents are being offered a way to save money on their prescription drugs.

The savings are being offered in the form of a prescription drug card that averages a savings of 30 percent on medications and can equal up to a 75 percent discount, according to a press release from the city of Jeffersonville.

Discount cards come at no cost to residents, are not restricted by income and are applicable to those that already have prescription drug coverage through their health insurance.

If it sounds too good to be true, that's also what the city officials sponsoring the program thought.

"When she [an Indiana Association of Cities and Towns employee] first started telling me about it I said, 'OK there's a catch,'" said Suzy Bass, chief deputy in the Jeffersonville Clerk-Treasurer's office.

Bass brought the idea to the city after it was presented through the state organization.

Edward Culpepper "Pepper" Cooper, Jeffersonville's health insurance agent-of-record with Maverick Insurance, said the card also provides a benefit for those who may have a health savings account. He said until a person reaches his or her deductible amount, they pay 100 percent of the prescription costs.

"It's not just for the people that don't have insurance," he said. "It's become very, very good for people that have high deductible plans."

Mayor Tom Galligan said the prescription drug program will provide a dual benefit.

"A lot of people just can't afford [prescription drugs]," he said. "And what this is trying to do is help make them afford it and also it helps the drug companies sell more product."

"If you look at, when you talk to businesses, everybody's cutting back," he said. "Drugs are no different. Some people just can't afford them and they're cutting back. And this is a way for them to continue to use the necessary medication."

Although Galligan said it is a marketing tool for drug companies to continue selling medicine, it is also providing necessary prescriptions to patients, at a lower cost.

"I commend them for doing it," he said.

One of the hurdles for the prescription drug card program has been getting the cards to the people that need them. Cooper said Maverick Insurance is planning to include an insert sheet in the next Jeffersonville newsletter with discount cards. The city's next newsletter is scheduled to be distributed some time in October.

But local residents won't have to wait to pick up a card. Discount cards are available at the mayor's office, all of Jeffersonville's fire stations and at the city's sewer department billing office. They also can be printed from the website CityofJeff.net.

Additionally, the cards are not being restricted to Jeffersonville residents.

"It's for anybody in the state," Bass said.

Cooper said he plans to take the same program to Clarksville and New Albany - where he is also the agent of record - so they can distribute the cards.

One caveat is that each individual will need a separate discount card.

"We think these are a great tool to help our citizens in times that are pretty tough right now," Galligan said.

August 16, 2011

JEFFERSONVILLE ― Indiana residents are being offered a way to save money on their prescription drugs.

Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan announced Tuesday that a prescription drug card that can reduce consumer costs at many pharmacies is available to Clark County residents at City Hall and other locations in Jeffersonville.

"This is something simple we can offer at no cost to the city or the consumer" to help lower medical costs for the public, Galligan said.

The discount program is provided in Indiana through the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Jeffersonville insurance agent Edward Culpepper "Pepper" Cooper said at a press conference at Jeffersonville City Hall.

It often provides discounts of 30 percent off retail costs for prescription drugs at participating pharmacies, including CVS, Kroger, Meijer, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens, Walmart and others, the city said in a press release.

Cooper said it can benefit residents who don't have insurance and those with high-deductible insurance, since it can reduce their out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines. It won't be of much use for those who have health insurance that includes good prescription drug benefits, Cooper said.

The cards are accepted at about 56,000 pharmacies across the county, the city said.

In the next few weeks, Jeffersonville will mail a newsletter to its residents that will include a page with the discount card printed on it, as well as an explanation, Cooper said. The postage -- about $3,600 -- will be paid by the Neace Lukens Maverick Insurance Agency, for which Cooper works.

The card simply requires a name and a phone number to be written on it, and when presented at a participating pharmacy, a discount will be offered.

The card says that the program is not insurance but simply a "point-of-sale discount plan" in which participating pharmacies offer certain discounts, which the pharmacies determine themselves.

"It's a win-win situation," Galligan said, explaining that the discount program saves consumers money at no cost to the city or state and helps the participating pharmacies' marketing.

The cards are available on the Jeffersonville website, www.cityofjeff.net, at the sewer billing office in City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court, and they soon will be at the city's five fire stations. They are available to all Clark County residents.

FISHERS, Ind., Oct. 12, 2011 ― The town of Fishers issued the following news release:

Residents of Fishers and the surrounding area now have access to a free discount prescription drug card. The Fishers Rx Card is being offered to all residents compliments of the Indiana Drug Card and the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. The free drug card provides savings up to 75% on prescription drugs, and is accepted at over 56,000 pharmacies across the country. This program has no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limitations, and there are no applications to fill out.

The Fishers Rx Card was launched to help uninsured and underinsured residents afford their prescription medications; however, the program can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts (HSA) and high deductible health plans. Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs. Residents of Fishers can obtain one of these cards by visiting the locations listed below or by printing the attached documents.

* Town Hall

* Fishers Police department reception and vehicles

* Fishers Fire department reception and ambulances

* Fishers Train Station

Fishers Rx Card, compliments of the Indiana Drug Card is being funded through the participation of pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT), is working with the program to create awareness. "We encourage all residents to take advantage of the opportunity to help offset the rising costs of prescription drugs purchased in Indiana," said IACT Executive Director Matthew C. Greller. "The Indiana Drug Card is open to all residents and everyone should be able to benefit from this program at some point."

For more information:

Natalie Meyer, Program Coordinator

E-MAIL: Natalie@indrugcard.com

PHONE: 888-446-3979 (888-4-INDYRX)

Posted: Thursday, August 25, 2011 3:18 pm

CHESTERTON | Residents of Chesterton and the surrounding area now have access to a free discount prescription drug card. The Chesterton Rx Card is being offered to all residents compliments of the Indiana Drug Card and the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.

The free drug card provides savings up to 75% on prescription drugs, and is accepted at over 56,000 pharmacies across the country. This program has no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limitations, and there are no applications to fill out.

The Chesterton Rx Card was launched to help uninsured and underinsured residents afford their prescription medications; however, the program can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts (HSA) and high deductible health plans.

Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs. Residents of Chesterton can obtain one of these cards by visiting www.chestertonin.org and clicking on the Chesterton Rx Card link. People who are unable to access the internet may obtain a card by visiting the following places:

Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce, 220 Broadway

Chesterton Town Hall, 726 Broadway

Chesterton Municipal Complex, 1490 Broadway

Chesterton Rx Card, compliments of the Indiana Drug Card is being funded through the participation of pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT), is working with the program to create awareness.

"We encourage all residents to take advantage of the opportunity to help offset the rising costs of prescription drugs purchased in Indiana," said IACT Executive Director Matthew C. Greller. "The Indiana Drug Card is open to all residents and everyone should be able to benefit from this program at some point."

For more information, contact Natalie Meyer, Program Coordinator, Natalie@indrugcard.com,

or phone 888-446-3979 (888-4-INDYRX)

8/26/2011 ― Dunelanders now have access to a free discount prescription drug card, the Chesterton Town Manager's Office announced in a statement released on Thursday.

The Chesterton Rx Card is being offered to all residents compliments of the Indiana Drug Card and the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT). The free drug card provides savings up to 75 perccent on prescription drugs and is accepted at over 56,000 pharmacies across the country.

This program has no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limitations, and there are no applications to fill out.

"The Chesterton Rx Card was launched to help uninsured and underinsured residents afford their prescription medications," the statement said. "However, the program can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts (HSA) and high deductible health plans. Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs."

Folks can obtain one of these cards by visiting www.chestertonin.org and clicking on the "Chesterton Rx Card" link. People who are unable to access the internet may obtain a card at the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce, 220 Broadway; Chesterton Town Hall, 726 Broadway; or the Chesterton Municipal Complex, 1490 Broadway.

The Chesterton Rx Card, compliments of the Indiana Drug Card is being funded through the participation of pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

"We encourage all residents to take advantage of the opportunity to help offset the rising costs of prescription drugs purchased in Indiana," said IACT Executive Director Matthew C. Greller. "The Indiana Drug Card is open to all residents and everyone should be able to benefit from this program at some point."

July 19, 2011 ― Brownsburg residents may now get a pharmacy discount card from the Town of Brownsburg. The Indiana Drug Card is a free statewide prescription assistance program to help uninsured and under-insured residents afford medications.

The discount card can be used at major drug stores nationwide. Savings on prescriptions average 30 percent with the card, but can be as high as 75 percent. All Indiana residents are eligible for the program, which can also help part-time workers who don't qualify for benefits and insured people who have high deductibles or prescriptions that are not covered by insurance.

Free pre-activated cards are available in the Town Hall lobby. There are no forms to fill out and the program does not have age or income restrictions. Simply stop by Town Hall at 61 N. Green Street to pick up the card and ask the pharmacy to process your prescription through the Indiana Drug Card to begin enjoying the savings. Each family member must have their own individual card.

The Indiana Drug Card has an open formulary, which means that all drugs are included. A complete list of the prescriptions and the discounted price can be found at www.indianadrugcard.com. Click the "medication pricing" link. Residents can also download and print discount cards online at www.indianadrugcard.com.

Program helps uninsured and underinsured afford prescription medications.

The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns is pleased to announce their endorsement of the Indiana Drug Card. The Indiana Drug Card is a free statewide prescription assistance program that was developed to help residents of Indiana afford to purchase prescription medications. Since its inception in July of 2009, Indiana Drug Card has saved residents $5.8 million on more than 467,000 prescriptions.

With the rising costs of healthcare today, along with the state of the current economy, people all over the country have been affected and have had to make economical sacrifices in their lives.

Unfortunately, some people have to make decisions of whether to pay utility bills or prescription medications filled. According to recent surveys conducted by Rasmussen Reports, 40 percent of Americans say they have chosen not to fill a prescription due to the high cost.

The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns knows that now is the time to make the residents of our communities aware of the Indiana Drug Card. Everyone is eligible to get a free drug card. There are no applications to fill out, no restrictions to membership and no income or age requirements.

The program was launched to help the insured and underinsured afford their prescription medications, but can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is more and more common in health savings accounts (HSA) and high deductible health plans.

Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-covered drugs. The Indiana Drug Card can also be used by individuals who do not qualify for publicly -funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

This program offers discounts of up to 75 percent on both brand name and generic medications, with an average savings of 30 percent. The card is accepted at more than 54,000 pharmacies across the country, and most pharmacies in Indiana. All cards are pre-activated and can be used immediately.

For more information or to print out your FREE card customized for your community, simply visit www.citiesandtowns.org or contact Natalie Meyer at (317) 650-7447.

CROWN POINT ― Health and workers compensation insurance costs for the city are on the decline, bucking national trends of climbing rates.

During a special meeting Thursday the Board of Works and Public Safety approved 2012 contracts for both insurances representing a 15 percent decrease in health care insurance costs and an 11 percent decrease in workers compensation costs.

"The trend is at a 14 percent increase (for health insurance). You guys have decreased instead of increased," said Dana Culpepper Cooper of Maverick Insurance, the city's agent.

She said the company looked at four different carriers for the city and ended up staying with the current provider which offered the best rates. The city, which is partially self-insured, was able to reduce its maximum exposure to claims by $728,000.

Kelly Zullo of Neace Lukens, which represents the city for workers compensation, said the same trends hold true for workers compensation insurance.

City initiatives such as the creation of a safety committee and manual and implementation of a return to work police policy have helped the city shave on insurance costs.

"We continue to see a significant improvement year over year," she said.

In a separate move officials also announced a new prescription drug benefit card available at no cost to all city employees and Crown Point residents.

Mayor David Uran said the city has partnered with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and the Indiana Drug Card to offer a free discount prescription drug card to residents of the city and surrounding area.

Beginning Friday residents will be able to log onto the city's website and apply for the card.

There are no restrictions to membership. Discounts of up to 75 percent are available on medications for the uninsured or underinsured.

Patients can't afford their meds? Direct them to these resources:

If you have patients who are non-compliant because they can't afford their prescriptions, you can help by alerting them to these sources for low and no cost medications.

Indiana Drug Card
Both uninsured and underinsured patients can take advantage of the Indiana Drug Card. The free program allows Indiana residents to receive pharmacy discounts averaging 30-35 percent on both brand and generic medications. The card is pre-activated, so it is ready to use and is accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies around the country.

Patients do not have to meet any age or income requirements or complete enrollment forms. The card can be obtained by calling (888) 446-3979 or downloaded on this site.