Rx Discount Cards

You may have noticed something new in your bill stuffer--here's the scoop:

MLGW has prescription for medication expense with discount cards

Last month, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division started including the city of Memphis' prescription discount card in all utility bills.

The utility board voted 3-1 in June to include about 400,000 prescription drug discount cards in utility bills to get more people to use the benefit.

Last year, City Councilman Myron Lowery got the city included in the National League of Cities Prescription Discount Card program, which provides for deep discounts on medications.

"Anyone who wants to save money and has a prescription should use it," said Lowery. "There's no reason in throwing money away. If you have insurance, then you may not want to use it. However, there are many prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance and that is where it could come in handy."

The program can save an average of 20 percent off the full retail cost of prescription medication for residents who are without health insurance or a traditional pharmacy benefit plan or those who have prescriptions not covered by insurance.

There is no cost to the city or participants.

"There are no fees or restrictions on using the discount card and the card is accepted at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, including all national pharmacy chains and most local independent pharmacies," said Marc Shapiro, who oversees the program for the National League of Cities.

In addition to the MLGW bills, the prescription benefit cards are available at city buildings, including City Hall, libraries and community centers.

There are no age or income restrictions on the city-issued cards. Even though the program is administered by CVS Caremark, nearly all pharmacies in the area -- including Walgreens, Walmart, Kmart, Ike's and Rite Aid -- are participating.

For more details, call 576-6428.