THE COSTS of prescription drugs drain household budgets. Navigating insurance, manufacturer coupon programs, and the barrage of information from mailings and the internet is overwhelming.
United Way of Bedford County can help, and it’s as easy as stopping by their office lo- cated in First Community Bank at 207 Elm Street, Shelbyville, for a prescription drug savings card through FamilyWize, a program now known as SingleCare after its merger on April 1, 2021. FamilyWize cards remain valid despite the name change.
According to their website, SingleCare partners with many nonprofit organizations to provide discounts on over 50,000 medications and increasing access to affordable prescription drugs and medications. Another perk: you can save on pet meds under certain terms.
The free card offers the best drug pric- es available without having to clip coupons. Cards don’t expire and may be used for family members’ prescriptions. It can be used by the insured and the uninsured; however, it cannot be used in combination with insurance savings. You can choose to use the lower price between the insured price and the SingleCare price. The card can cover drugs sometimes not covered by insurance.
The card works like a coupon and can be used as often as wanted. Show the card every time you go to the pharmacy to get the lowest prices, whether it be SingleCare, insurance, or retail price. The card has an average savings of $208 per year for individuals and up to 80% off a single prescription. It is accepted at major chain pharmacies nationwide and a number of mail-order companies accept the card. In addi- tion, a home delivery option on some prescrip- tions through a partner company is available. Savings exclude over-the-counter medications.
Using their website, singlecare.com, or their app, it’s easy to look up prices of your medica- tions by entering your drug name, dosage, and zip code to find the lowest price in your area.
To create an account and obtain your card if you haven’t picked one up, simply provide some basic information and begin searching for dis- counts on your medications. The card can be sent to you by text, email, or postal service.
You can save even more by signing up for SingleCare’s membership program. It’s free to join, and you get an extra $5 off your next eligible prescription just for signing up. Each filled prescription results in bonus savings add- ed to your account, which will be automatically applied to the next prescription filled.
To stretch your dollars in 2022, consider the program when budgeting your healthcare dollars. With the money you’ll save, you might have room to add a monthly donation to Unit- ed Way Bedford County in your budget!
“On the local level, most of our efforts are to support various non-profit organizations,” Mark McGee, Director of United Way of Bedford County, said. “But one of the ways we help individuals is through the distribution of FamilyWize prescription savings cards, now SingleCare. Anyone wanting a card can con- tact our office. At United Way, we want to help make life better for everyone locally.” -GN
