City Offering Prescription Discount Cards

Marketing & Communications - Oct. 23, 2009 

The city is partnering with the National League of Cities to offer free prescription discount cards to all city residents. The cards can be used at any participating pharmacy to receive a discount on prescriptions not covered by insurance.

Cards are available at all city recreation centers, the Experiment in Self Reliance Inc., Family Services Inc., The Salvation Army, the Winston-Salem Urban League, the United Way Prosperity Center, and all Forsyth County library branches inside the city limits.
There are no enrollment or membership fees to use the card. One card can be used by all members of a family. There are no age or income restrictions and no limits on how many times individuals can use the card.

There is no waiting period. City residents simply present their card at a participating
pharmacy. Savings may vary by drug and by pharmacy; however, the National League of Cities reports that the card provides an average savings of 20 percent.

This discount program is not insurance. Users pay the negotiated discount price offered through the program or the pharmacy’s retail price, whichever is lower. Prescriptions purchased through this program are not eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid, Medicare or any other government program.

At least 70 pharmacies in the Winston-Salem area are participating in the program, including independent pharmacies and pharmacies operated by Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS and Rite Aid. The program is being administered for the National League of Cities by the Caremark Pharmacy Services division of CVS. Nationwide, more than 300 cities are participating in the program.

For program information, to locate a pharmacy, look up a drug price or access health resources, go to the Caremark web site or call toll-free (888) 620-1749.