FamilyWize benefits all income brackets on The Murfreesboro Post

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FamilyWize benefits all income brackets

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By: JUANITA THOUIN, Post Contributor

Posted: Sunday, September 23, 2012 12:00 am

FamilyWize benefits all income brackets | FamilyWize, Health Care, United Way, Nonprofit, Rutherford County

(File photo)

According to latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than one million Tennesseans do not have health insurance, which means they usually pay full-price for prescription medications.

Likewise, some Tennesseans have health insurance but no drug card and others find that their prescription drug plan doesn’t cover medications they need.

In Rutherford and Cannon counties, these cash paying consumers of prescription medications can now get help through United Way’s FamilyWize drug card.

The card is free, said Kristen Hampton, marketing coordinator of United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. And anyone, no matter what their income level, can participate in the program.

“It’s not for any specific population. All you have to do is have the card,” Hampton said.

Samantha Trotter, a certified pharmacy technician at Sam’s Club pharmacy said consumers have received anywhere from 8 to 40 percent discount on medications with the FamilyWize card, and these discounts are on top of Sam’s Club’s already low prices.

FamilyWize was established in Pennsylvania in 2005 by Dan and Susan Barnes, who saw a need in their community. Before long they began partnering with United Way to distribute the cards. The discount cards are now available across the United States.

To date, the FamilyWize drug card has saved local residents more than $603,000. Some medications are discounted by 75 percent.

The greater discounts are on generic drugs, Trotter said.

Local pricing is available through the FamilyWize Web site, familywize.org. A card holder must input their zip code and know the name and strength of the medication.

In Murfreesboro, an Advair 100/50 diskus, a popular drug for those with asthma, costs up to $260. With the FamilyWize card, it is available for $208.15.

With the FamilyWize drug card, discounts are given for all medications. However, in some instances the pharmacy’s retail price or the pharmacy’s in-house discounts are lower than the FamilyWize discount price.

“We have to crunch the numbers to figure out which is better for the customer,” said Keith Beckman, a pharmacist at Beckman’s Prescription Shop in downtown Murfreesboro.

The FamilyWize card cannot be used for mail-order prescriptions or in conjunction with other drug cards, including those available to Medicare recipients or provided by specific drug manufacturers. However, it can be used when a consumer’s current prescription plan does not cover a specific medication.

Despite these limitations, the card is beneficial, Beckman said.

“They’re a good thing for people who need help financially,” Beckman said.

Cards are available online by clicking on the community impact tab of Rutherford and Cannon Counties’ website. uwrutherford.org.

Once there, consumers click on the icon that says, “Print Your Free Card.”

Consumers can also download a card to their smartphone by texting ‘family’ to 700700. It can then be shown to the pharmacist.

Nearly all pharmacies participate in the FamilyWize discount program including Beckman’s, Terrace, Mufreesboro Medical Clinic, Costco, CVS, Kroger, K-Mart, Publix, Reeves-Sain, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.

For a more extensive list of participating pharmacies, visit familywize.org.

Funding for the FamilyWize program is provided by discounting the dispensing fee included in the cost of all medications, by in-kind donations and by reduced costs from program sponsors.

The mission of United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties is to improve lives by advancing opportunities for education, health and financial stability for all.

For more information, to sign up your workplace or to make an individual donation, visit uwrutherford.org.

Tagged under FamilyWize, Health Care, Nonprofit, Rutherford County, United Way

Member Opinions:

By: wk2e_mtsu_f12 on 9/24/12
I fully support the United Way’s FamilyWize drug card program and think it is a great idea. Families all across Rutherford and Cannon counties can benefit from using the card despite how little or how much income they receive. The FamilyWize card does not discriminate between income brackets and I think many households have special circumstances that make having the discount card advantageous. I know firsthand many people of different financial statuses that struggle with medical bills and payment of necessary medications each month. The strain can be overwhelming and many have had to choose medicines over other important necessities because they could not financially afford both. While retail and grocery stores can discount prices and give coupons, many pharmacies often have no control over certain medicine prices to a certain degree. The United Way’s FamilyWize drug card can act as a discount coupon for cardholders. Every little bit can help with families in a financial bind. Another great asset of the card is the money is not coming out of taxes; the financial funding is made possible because of donators and program sponsors. I hope to see United Way’s FamilyWize drug cards program brought to other cities as well.