Press release from the Allen County Board of Commissioners:
Allen County FamilyWize Program Tops $500K Savings Mark
(January 12, 2011) – Residents of Allen County have saved over a half-million dollars on their prescription drugs by using the FamilyWize discount card, Allen County and United Way officials announced today.
Figures compiled by FamilyWize show that from the program’s introduction in Allen County in March of 2007 through December 31, 2010, the amount of money saved by residents using the card totaled $507,458. The amount saved on each individual prescription averaged 30 percent, or $18.18. Allen County ranks fifth among Indiana counties in the total amount of savings and sixth in the number of claims filed (27,910). In 2010 alone, the FamilyWize discount card saved residents a total of $197,010 on their prescription drugs.
Initially, the cards were distributed within agencies of United Way of Allen County. In April 2008, the Allen County Board of Commissioners partnered with United Way to help publicize the program and extend the distribution of cards.
“No one should be forced to choose between paying for food, rent or medicine because of the high cost of prescriptions,” said Nelson Peters, president of the Board of Commissioners. “That’s why our board, through the leadership of former Commissioner Bill Brown, partnered with FamilyWize and United Way to distribute free prescription discount cards to everyone in Allen County.”
“One of United Way’s key priorities is to help local residents meet their most basic needs, including health care,” said Todd Stephenson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “FamilyWize is one way we can help accomplish that goal, and we are pleased United Way could help bring this no-cost benefit to local residents. We are also grateful to the Allen County Commissioners for taking the lead role in implementing FamilyWize in Allen County.”
FamilyWize cards are primarily for people with no health insurance or prescription coverage. However, they can also be used when people have to buy medicine not covered by their health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or VA benefits.
Most local pharmacies accept the FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards. The cards have no usage or age limits, income requirements or registration forms, and can be used immediately.
“The FamilyWize card provides immediate savings on prescription medicines with no paperwork or forms to fill out,” said Dan Barnes, Co-chair of The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership.
FamilyWize cards currently can be obtained at more than 50 sites from a variety of participating local partner agencies, municipal and county agencies and departments. In addition, the Associated Churches of Fort Wayne distributes the cards at its 28 food bank locations. People with internet access can go to www.FamilyWize.org to print a card, look up drug prices and obtain a list of participating pharmacies.
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