Prescription Discount Program Saves Oswego County Residents More than $55,000

Submitted by Oswego County

Oswego County residents saved $55,371 by using the County Legislature’s prescription discount card during the first three months of the program. Not only is the county’s rate of participation significantly higher than neighboring counties, statistics show that the county usage has increased steadily since the program was implemented in February.

The prescription discount program was developed by the Oswego County Legislature to help residents save money on their prescription drugs. More than 50,000 cards were bulk mailed to households in February. The program is designed to be anonymous and is open to any resident of Oswego County, regardless of their insurance coverage.

“Oswego County is off to a very good start,” said Mike Maenza, account executive of ProAct, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company based in Central New York. “Oswego County’s rate of participation is significantly higher than neighboring counties that are enrolled in the program, and the county has only been enrolled for three months.”

During the first few weeks of the program in February, 617 cards were used to fill 991 prescriptions. That number increased to 718 cards during March, with 1,339 prescriptions filled; and jumped again during April, when 754 people used their cards to fill 1,546 prescriptions.

“When compared to neighboring counties, the statistics show that not only are more Oswego County residents using the discount card each month, each card is being used to fill at least two prescriptions a month,” said Maenza. “Repeated use shows residents are seeing the value and benefit of the card and saving money every time they use the card.”

Legislator John Proud, District 7, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he has used the card for items that were not covered under his insurance plan, and found that it provided a significant discount. “The service is a solid program that gives people a break in the cost of prescriptions. That is its intended purpose,” he said. “I have been recommending its use and I will continue to do that.”

The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee recently received a report on the usage of the card. In addition to Legislator Proud, committee members include vice chairwoman Barbara Brown, District 8; Daniel Chalifoux, District 19; Arthur Gearsbeck, District 6; Margaret Kastler, District 1; Douglas Malone, District 20; and Morris Sorbello, District 23.

Legislature Chairman Barry Leemann reminds people that the program is free to Oswego County and its residents. “People are saving an average of 10 to 20 percent on brand name prescriptions, and 20 to 50 percent on generic drugs,” said Legislator Leemann.

The prescription drug cards are available from members of the Oswego County Legislature, at 27 participating pharmacies, and at the Office of the Chairman, Oswego County Legislature, 46 E. Bridge St., Oswego; Office for the Aging and Oswego County Health Department, 70 Bunner St., Oswego; Veterans’ Service Agency, 200 N. Second St., Fulton; and Department of Social Services, Spring Street, Mexico.

People with questions about the program or who would like more information may call the ProAct, Inc. help desk toll free at 1-877-776-2285. missing or outdated ad config

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