FamilyWize
If you don't have health insurance or need medicine not covered by your insurance plan, you can benefit from the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card we distribute. This card could lower the cost of your medicine by an average of 39%. We are providing these cards free-of-charge to everyone in our community. There are no age restrictions, no income restrictions, no limit on how many times you can use it and no waiting to get a card.
"As employers continue to cut jobs and benefits, healthcare costs are one of the top concerns for people in our community," said Lisa Luebke, Administrative Assistant and Program Coordinator.
According to the Michigan Surgeon General's Health Status Report, Healthy Michigan 2010, "Michigan has a lower percentage of uninsured residents, on average, than the United States, but has over 1.1 million uninsured residents. Residents at the greatest risk of being uninsured are young adults (particularly those ages 21-24), minorities, and the working poor."
In Charlevoix and Emmet Counties, 16.6% of adults 18 - 64 do not have health insurance and many more are underinsured.
"FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards are one way for us to help individuals and families in our community and make these prescriptions a little more affordable," said Luebke.
We began offering these prescription cards in April 2007. Since that time 1,729 prescriptions have been filled in the two-county area using the card for a total savings of nearly $100,000. The cards can be obtained from the Department of Human Services, Friendship Centers, Community Free Clinic, Petoskey and Charlevoix Public Libraries, Manna Food Project, K-Mart Pharmacies or by calling us at 487-1006. People with Internet access can print a card by visiting the website at www.familywize.com, as well as look up drug prices and the list of participating pharmacies. Local businesses and employers can also get cards to give to their employees.
Locally, the FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards are accepted by Central Drug Store, Huff Pharmacy, Kelbel Pharmacy, Medicap Pharmacy, Glen's, K-Mart, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, Rite Aid, Walgreen, and Wal-Mart. They have no usage or age limits, income requirements or registration forms, and can be used immediately.
We are one of more than 750 United Ways in all 50 states which are distributing the cards.
"We hope everyone in the community will take the time to thank their pharmacist, United Way, and everyone else involved for the difference they are making in the lives of so many people in the community," said Dan Barnes, Co-Chair of the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership. The participating pharmacies in the community have agreed voluntarily to accept the FamilyWize cards and provide these savings to people in need. Brown Printing, Independent Graphics and Rob-Win Press of greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania donate the printing for the cards, Sappi Fine Paper provides some of the paper, FedEx Express donates the shipping of the cards and the pharmacy benefit manager provides a portion of the processing fee to cover the administrative costs.