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The Santa Fe County Prescription Drug Discount Card Program set a new record in December with 1,026 users saving a record $22,735 on prescriptions for themselves, their families, and their pets.  September through December produced the highest four-month usage in the program’s history, 3,924 users saved $86,784.  “I believe the recession may be a contributing factor,” said County Commissioner Harry Montoya “We are all looking for ways to save money and this program is easy to use and it’s free.”
 
What It Is:The Santa Fe County Prescription Drug Discount Card Program helps consumers save money on their prescription medications any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.  The free cards may be used at any participating retail pharmacy.  The discount card is not insurance.
 
Savings:Savings average 20 percent; some discounts may be more, and some less, depending on the drug and quantity purchased.  Cardholders are eligible for higher discounts on a three-month supply of some medications through mail service.  Cardholders also can save on pet prescriptions at participating retail pharmacies.
 
Who It’s For:The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage.  There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use.  Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.
 
Pets:70% of pet prescriptions overlap with human ones.  The residents simply ask the veterinarian to write out a prescription and then they can have it filled at a network participating pharmacy.
 
What It Costs:Unlike many other card programs, there is no enrollment cost or membership fee.  The cardholder pays the negotiated discount price or the pharmacy’s retail price, whichever is lower.  The average discount is 20 percent.
 
Additional Benefits:The program has a safety feature that alerts pharmacists when one drug may conflict with another medication the cardholder is taking, if the prescriptions were obtained with the card.
 
The Santa Fe County discount card program remains a useful option now that Medicare Part D has been implemented.  For example, the card can be used when a Medicare Part D plan does not cover a drug.
 
Where You Get the Card:Available at several local pharmacies or by calling 992.9841.

The card is also available in English and in Spanish from the Santa Fe County Health and Human Services Department Mobile Health Van: call 505-231-2382.