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Drug Discount Card FAQs
What are drug discount cards?
Drug discount cards are plans that offer discounts on medicine. These
programs may be created by a state government, membership associations,
non-profit organizations or for-profit businesses.
Are drug discount cards a form
of insurance?
No, these cards are not insurance, but they may help reduce medication
costs.
How
much do drug discount cards cost?
Some cards are free, some have an enrollment fee or annual fee and some
have monthly fees. Annual fees generally range between $30 and $60 for
families; monthly fees generally range from $4.75 to $7.95 per month.
How do I pick a drug discount
card?
Before using one of these plans, we suggest that you look into the following:
Eligibility:
- Is there an income limit? (Do you qualify?)
- Is there an age limit? (Do you qualify?)
- Do you have to be a member of an association to get this discount?
- Does the plan cover you alone, you and your spouse, or your entire
family?
Costs:
- Is this plan for medication only or is it part of health, vision and/or
dental coverage?
- Is there a membership/enrollment/annual fee?
- Is there a monthly fee?
- What are your co-payments?
- Are there additional shipping and handling fees?
- Will the money you save be more than the money you spend on enrollment
fees, co-payments, and other fees?
Benefits:
- Are drugs provided through a mail-order pharmacy or a walk-in pharmacy?
- Do you have to use a "participating pharmacy?" (Are these
convenient to you?)
- Are the drugs you need covered by the plan?
- What drugs are not covered by the plan?
- Does the plan cover both generic and brand name drugs?
- Is the % discount the same for generic and brand name drugs?
- Is the discount off the retail price? (Make sure the plan is really
saving you money compared to what you would normally pay at your local
pharmacy.)
- Is there a limit on the benefits you can receive in a year?
Protection:
- Does the plan make available detailed description of coverage? (Make
sure you get and read through all the written material regarding the
discount card program)
- Does the plan have a customer service number, preferably one that
is toll-free?
- What are the options for canceling this card? What is the policy on
refunding your fees?
What are discount pharmacy services?
Some stores have discount pharmacy services. For example, Kmart pharmacies have a 90 day generics program, available anywhere in the country where there is a Kmart pharmacy. Costco & Sam’s Club pharmacies often have competitive prices. Membership is not required to use the pharmacy services. Check Costco & Sam's Club , for pharmacy locations. Costco has a mail order pharmacy service, with no additional charges for standard shipping.
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