TIPS: Save Money on Medication with Free Prescription Card

By Barbara Perone
It’s bad enough when people lose their jobs in a stalled economy, but, in a cruel one-two punch, eventually they lose their health insurance, too. That means some folks out there are being forced to go without certain, sometimes necessary, medications simply because they can no longer afford to pay for them.
It may not seem like much, but, there is a way to save on the medicine you need, by using a free prescription card offered by Familywize Community Service Partnership, Inc.
Under the plan, card holders who are unemployed, uninsured, or underinsured can purchase any FDA-approved brand-name, or generic, drugs available at any of the 60,000 participating pharmacies, nationwide. The savings add up to $17 to $20 for each prescription.
There is no registration or activation period necessary and no paperwork to fill out; there are also no age restrictions. Even those who have health insurance can take advantage of the program, administered by EnvisionRX Options.
There are only two drawbacks: the card does not cover mail-order prescriptions and it is accepted only at participating pharmacies. To find out if your local pharmacy participates in the program, and obtain a card, visit www.familywize.org or call 1-866-810-3384.
Remember to save your receipts because you can deduct the cost of your out-of-pocket expenses for all prescription medications from your yearly state and federal income taxes.
Bonus Tip: Drug Company Assistance Programs
These days, some financially strapped people can’t afford to purchase their prescription medications. And that’s where a drug company assistance program can help them.
Here’s how it works: if you make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but, not enough to pay for health insurance, you may be eligible. Across the country, nearly all pharmaceutical companies offer such programs; with some, the paperwork is minimal, with others it’s more extensive. If you qualify, the medications are either sent directly to you, via snail mail, or to a nearby participating pharmacy.
Want to get started? First, have ready the correct spelling of the names of all the medications you take, including the dosages, and the names & addresses of the companies that manufacturer them. Then, visit the website for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at www.PPARX.org to find a program in your area. Beware of fake drug assistance programs that charge money to process your application; the real programs are always free!