County looks into prescription program to help all uninsured residents -- and pets

A prescription-drug discount program likely to be adopted by the Beaufort County Council would give participants and their families -- pets included -- a break on the cost of some medications.

The council's Community Services and Public Services committees voted unanimously Monday to join the Prescription Discount Card Program sponsored by the National Association of Counties and administered by CVS/Caremark Corp.

The proposal needs full council approval before it is implemented.

"People are really having a rough time with the cost of medicine, and any savings that they're able to receive are a big plus," said Morris Campbell, director of the county Community Services Division.

How does the program work ?

Discount drug cards would be distributed at locations countywide. The cards give participants an averageof 22 percent off the retail price of their prescriptions at participating pharmacies, according to the association.

The discount includes pet medications but can only be used on prescriptions not already covered by the bearer's insurance. Family members can use a single discount card for all their prescriptions.

How much does it cost?

The cards would be free to county residents.

The association pays for the cards and prints them with the association and Beaufort County logos at no cost to the county.

The county would incur costs only if it opted to use customized program brochures or advertisements, instead of those provided by the association, according to a memo sent Monday by county attorney Ladson Howell to Campbell, Councilman Bill McBride and county administrator Gary Kubic.

"It will not result in any undue liability of the county," Howell wrote. But he cautioned the program should be carefully monitored to make sure patient confidentiality rules are followed, along with other provisions in the three-year contract with the association.

Only dues-paying association members, like Beaufort County, are eligible to participate.

CVS/Caremark negotiates discounts directly with participating pharmacies and receives about $1 every time a card is used. Neither the association nor the county would receive any revenue, according to the association.

Who can participate?

All Beaufort County residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage can use the cards. There are no enrollment forms, membership fees or limits on how often the cards can be used as long as they are presented at participating pharmacies.

Where are the cards accepted?

There are 34 pharmacies in Beaufort County that already accept the discount cards, including major chains like CVS, said Fred Leyda, a facilitator with the county Alliance for Human Services.

Have other counties in the state joined?

Twenty-five South Carolina counties use the program, according to association data. Beaufort County officials contacted four of those participants to gauge how well it has worked, including Richland and Orangeburg counties.

"Hampton County said it was probably the best thing that happened there since sliced bread," Campbell said.