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Politics & Government

Residents May Receive Help With Prescription Costs

Town Council provisionally agrees to prescription discount card program coordinated by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and ProAct Inc.

 

Uninsured local residents or those without prescription coverage may soon be able to significantly reduce their pharmacy costs.

The Town Council gave Town Manager Barbara Gilbert conditional authority Monday to enroll Rocky Hill in the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities' prescription discount program, run by ProAct Inc. Gilbert's authorization is contingent upon approval of the contract by town attorney Morris Borea.

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If the program is enacted, ProAct will mail fliers to all town residents providing them with information about the program and how to print their ProAct discount cards online or receive them via mail. Neither residents nor the town will have to pay any money to participate.

According to CCM, ProAct card users will save an average of 45% on their prescriptions, including as much as 20% on name-brand medicines and 70% on generics. Hearing, vision, and Lasik services will also be discounted, as well as certain pet medications if they can also be prescribed to humans.  

Find out what's happening in Rocky Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While the program is primarily designed to assist the uninsured and under-insured, individuals with high co-pays will also benefit. Those whose insurance will not cover specific medications will be helped as well, since the cards can be applied to all prescription drugs.

Cards will be accepted at major pharmacy chains, such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Stop-and-Shop. Local pharmacies may also participate.

Gilbert stressed the urgency of taking prompt action. Currently, it takes 5 - 8 weeks to implement the program, but the waiting period is expected to increase as more municipalities sign-on. CCM introduced the cards on July 1, and 22 towns have already enrolled.

Councilman Philip Sylvestro was impressed by what he heard.

"I don't see a downside to this program at all. If even one of our residents is helped by this, then it's worth doing."

Councilwoman Barbara Survilo echoed the worthiness of the program .

"It's almost too good to be true," she marveled.

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