Mobile County Residents Save $1 Million in Drug Costs

Posted on: Aug 29th, 2011 | News and Announcements

Mobile County residents have saved more than $1 million on prescription drugs through the county?s discount prescription card offered to the public last year. At the same time, the county is collecting double the initial royalty paid by the county?s program partner, Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. of Point Vedra Beach, FL. Since inception of the program in May 2010, the county has received more than $23,000 in royalties. ?We seem to be addressing a need in the community, judging by the numbers of people using the card,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. In these first 14 months of the program, there have been more than 45,000 claims submitted by residents at a value of more than $2 million. Savings through the discount card averaged 55.1 percent. The prescription card is distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Mobile County. The cards may be obtained for free at local pharmacies or can be downloaded from the Internet at www.coast2coastrx.com/mobileal. A list of participating pharmacies is also available at that site. The card is provided at no cost to the county. It provides significant savings for some people, particularly those who don?t have insurance coverage, or those with high deductibles, or those whose insurance doesn?t cover particular prescriptions. The card covers more than 60,000 available drugs. ?At a time when medical costs can create a financial crisis for families, we are glad this program eases the burden for some of our residents,? said County Commissioner Connie Hudson. Everyone is qualified for the discount card membership and parents or guardians may obtain the discounts on prescriptions for their dependents under the age of 18 years. The card also provides for discounts of 50 to 80 percent on lab and imaging tests and covers most pet prescriptions. ?Health care and pharmaceutical drugs are a priority on everybody?s list,? said Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean. ?I?m glad the county made the decision to bring this program here.?