Lee County prescription drug discount program still available

The Lee County Department of Human Services would like to remind local residents that the Lee County Prescription Discount card is still available.

Lee County, in partnership with the National Association of Counties, introduced the card about a year ago and last month almost 2,000 people used the card to save approximately 18 percent on their prescriptions.

Since the economic and employment climate has changed during the past year, more residents may need another avenue to help with their medication costs.

"Our office has seen more and more families in crisis due to reduced work hours or loss of jobs, so we want to encourage those families to take advantage of the potential help with their prescription drugs. We would love to see more people take advantage of this savings," said Kim Hustad, Program Manager at Lee County.

The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted at over 80 local pharmacies. A national network of more than 57,000 participating retail pharmacies also honors the Lee County Prescription Discount Card.

Cards are available at 12 Lee County libraries, the Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach libraries, the United Way House and Lehigh Community Services in Lehigh Acres, the Bonita Springs Assistance Office, the Indian Creek RV & Mobile Home Park on San Carlos Boulevard, and at Lee County Human Services at 2440 Thompson Street in Fort Myers.

Information is available on the Human Services web site at http://dhs.lee-county. com/AP_FamilyT4R160.html. County residents can call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit https://naco.advancerx.com for assistance with the program.

"Using the NACo prescription discount card is easy," Hustad said. "Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance."

The program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc.