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08/07/2012 12:00 AMOLD SAYBROOK - Through a new program approved by the Board of Selectmen, residents without health insurance or who don't have prescription drug coverage will soon be able to cut the costs of their prescriptions. Last week the selectmen approved an agreement with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) that will by Sept. 15 send each town resident a free ProAct Prescription Drug Discount card to use at major pharmacies.
CCM began offering the new no cost program to its member towns on July 1. With the vote last week, Old Saybrook becomes the fifth state town to sign on to the program.
As described by CCM, the discount cards will save uninsured and underinsured residents an average of 45 percent off prescription drug retail costs. Specifically, showing the card at major pharmacies can save users 15 to 20 percent of the retail costs of a brand-name drug or between 20 and 70 percent of the cost of generic drugs.
The ProAct Drug Discount Card each resident will receive by mail in September allows residents to receive discounts regardless of their age or income. It covers all prescription medications and is offered at no cost to the municipality or to the resident using the card. The card also provide discounted prices for the uninsured on vision, hearing, and Lasik services and off the cost of medications prescribed for pets when those drug prescriptions are filled at participating pharmacies.
Any resident may use the drug discount card to reduce the cost of a prescription drug whose purchase is not covered by his or her health insurance program.
First Selectman Carl Fortuna said that there will be one discount account number for all residents of the town.
"This program dovetails nicely with what Sue Consoli and the town's Social Services Department provides. In addition to making funding available for general assistance and fuel assistance, this program is a way to help those who need prescription medications" but cannot afford them, said Fortuna.
The program is managed for CCM by ProAct.
All town residents should receive a postcard with the town's ProAct Prescription Drug Discount Card in late August or early September. Any resident who does not receive a card by Sept. 15 can also go to the library to download a town discount card from the ProAct website www.ctrxdiscountcard.com.