Howard County
Prescription Discount Card
in partnership with the
National Association of Counties

A Message from
County Executive Ken Ulman:

In December 2005, Howard County Government began participating in a prescription drug discount program, available to all county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health insurance. The program became available through the county’s membership with the National Association of Counties and is intended to offer some relief to the challenges we all face due to the rising cost of prescription drugs. The discount may be of particular help to individuals and families on a fixed income or to those without health care insurance.

The cards are FREE, available to everyone and can be obtained at senior centers, Health Department clinics, county government office buildings or by calling the Office of Public Information at 410-313-2022. There are no forms to fill out, no enrollment fees and no cost of any kind to participants. Any family member can use the card, and there are no limits on the number of times the card may be used.

Even if you currently have prescription drug coverage through your health care insurance provider, you may still save with the discount card since it may save you money on drugs your plan does not cover. You do NOT need to be a Medicare beneficiary to use this card, and the card does not take the place of the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

The next time you need a prescription filled, you simply present the discount card to one of the 50 participating retail pharmacies in Howard County. Your pharmacist will activate the card the moment you present it. All commonly prescribed FDA-approved drugs are covered, both brand name and generic. If you want to be sure your pharmacy participates in the discount drug program, you can ask them or call 1-877-321-2652. By calling the number you can also locate a participating pharmacy near you.

The prescription drug discount program is being offered to Howard County residents, thanks to our affiliation and membership in the National Association of Counties (NACo), who initiated the program. Baltimore and Montgomery Counties participated in the initial test pilot of the program, and both jurisdictions were pleased with the results, reporting overall savings to card holders that averaged nearly 20% -- and at times as much as 50%.

I am happy to continue this program started under my predecessor, former County Executive Jim Robey, and pass along - to all county residents - this opportunity to save money on the high cost of prescription drugs.

Sincerely,

Ken Ulman
Howard County Executive

For more information on-line CLICK HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the plan cost?
Your prescription discount card is provided to you free of charge by the county.

Does everyone in my family need an individual card?
No. Everyone in the family may use the same card if desired.

Can I use this card to get discounts on my pet’s medications?
Yes, if your pet has been prescribed a medication, you may receive a discount on the medication by taking the prescription to a participating retail pharmacy.

I just received my card. Can I use it right away?
Yes, just use your card to start saving immediately. Present your prescription discount card at a participating retail pharmacy when you fill or refill your prescriptions.

I’ve lost my card. How can I get a replacement?
Please call toll free 1-877-321-2652.

Can I use my card to get discounts on over-the-counter products and non-prescription medications?
Not usually. However, discounts are available for many diabetic supplies.

How is this prescription discount program different from traditional prescription insurance?
This plan is not insurance; it is a prescription discount program. The card provides immediate discounts at the pharmacy. Upon presenting your card to the pharmacist, you will pay the lower of a discounted price or the pharmacy’s regular retail price. There are no claim forms to fill out and no limit to the number oftimes you can use the card. These discounts are available only at participating retail pharmacies.

Can I use my prescription discount card with my current insurance benefit to reduce my costs?
Your card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurance. However, you are able to use your card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by these plans

Pharmacy and Pricing Questions

Which pharmacies accept the card?
The prescription discount card is accepted at 57,000 retail pharmacies nationwide, including many of the leading chains. Ask your local pharmacy if they participate or call toll free 1-877-321-2652 to find out if a specific pharmacy participates in the program.

How much will I save?
While savings on each prescription may vary, you can save an average of 20 percent off of the pharmacy’s regular retail prices for prescription drugs. In addition, you may save even more by choosing from our list of select medications. This list is comprised of products offering additional savings.

Will I always receive the lowest price?
Yes. You will receive the best price available to you through this program at the pharmacy. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate provided by the card. If that occurs, you will receive the lower price.

Can I find out the discounted price of my prescriptions before going to the pharmacy?
Because prices can vary by location, only the actual pharmacy can tell you the exact price of the prescription. However, you can look up an estimated price for medications at https://naco.advancerx.com, or call toll free 1-877-321-2652.

Why did the price of my prescription change since the last time I purchased the prescription?
Drug prices are different from pharmacy to pharmacy. Even chains have different prices in their stores depending on the population they are servicing. Additionally, manufacturers’ drug prices change periodically.

The brochure says I can save an average of 20 percent on my prescription medication. Will I save 20 percent on all my medications?
Because a pharmacy's retail price or usual and customary charge can differ greatly by pharmacy, your exact percentage of savings may vary depending on the prescription drug and the price you have paid before.

About Specialty Pharmacy

What is specialty pharmacy and what kinds of services do they offer?
Specialty pharmacy offers delivery of injectable and select oral specialty medication and supplies to the location of your choice. Services include delivery notification and refill reminder calls to help you stay on your treatment plan. You’ll also receive expert care services including counseling, follow up care calls, informative disease-related materials, and access to health experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What drugs are offered through specialty pharmacy?
Medications for a variety of chronic conditions including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, infertility, immunologic disorders, Crohn’s disease, Gaucher disease, pulmonary hypertension, Fabry disease, MPS 1, blood dyscrasia, growth hormone deficiency, respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis C and more are available through specialty pharmacy.

About the Caremark Mail Service Program

What is Mail Service?
With the Caremark Mail Service program, you can purchase up to a 90-day supply of select medications from the mail service pharmacy for a fixed price. It’s easy to get started with mail service—just send in the mail service order form along with your original prescription, to Caremark. For a list of medications available through and to receive an order form please call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit https://naco.advancerx.com.