District Health Department #10 now offers two programs to help people pay for prescription medications-
Plan RX & Prescription Discount Program (PDP)
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Plan RX cardholders pay $5 for generic drugs and $10 for brand name drugs. Not all drugs are eligible for $5 or $10 pricing but the pricing is available for medicine to treat most common problems and even chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
Plan RX is available to people age 19-64 with income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. People cannot enroll if they are eligible for another government sponsored prescription program.
Membership in Plan RX also qualifies enrollees for a spot on the waiting list for the Tencon Plan B program. TENCON Plan B adds coverage for doctor visits, health check-ups, outpatient lab tests, and outpatient x-ray tests, to the Plan RX prescription benefit.
Eligibility for Tencon Health Plan services require that individuals:
- Be a resident of the District Health Department #10 service area
- Not eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or employer paid health insurance
- Do not have any health insurance or other health benefits
- Be a citizen of the United States or legal alien
- Provide picture ID
Enrollment into the Tencon Plan RX can be completed at any of the District Health Department #10 county offices and over the telephone. Individuals wanting more information on or wishing to enroll into the Tencon Plan RX, should contact their local health department at the numbers listed below.
Crawford County: 989-348-7800
Kalkaska County: 231-258-8669
Lake County: 231-745-4663
Manistee County: 231-723-3595
Mason County: 231-845-7381
Mecosta County: 231-592-0130
Missaukee County: 231-839-7167
Newaygo County: 231-689-7300
Oceana County: 231-873-2193
Wexford County: 231-775-9942
Prescription Discount Plan
Any resident of Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Missuakee, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana or Wexford counties is eligible for the PDP card.
The average savings is over 40% but will depend on the medicine, where you shop and if the pharmacy is already having a sale on medicine.
Almost all pharmacies participate, even out-of-state pharmacies that are part of the large chains like Rite-Aid and CVS. To get the discount give the pharmacist your PDP card and prescription. The pharmacist will fill the prescription and charge you the discount price. You will be expected to pay for the medicine at the discounted price. Always show your card for refills. All drugs will be covered, with the exception of over-the-counter drugs and experimental drugs. There is no cost for the PDP card or for enrolling in the program.
Apply for the program on-line:
Once the application is completed and processed, your card will be mailed to you along with a list of participating pharmacies in the area. You will receive your card in 2 to 3 weeks.
Here are a few examples of drugs with current retail prices (June 2010) and the discounted price you will pay with the PDP card:
Lisinopril
Retail - $59.40 Price with Card - $7.55
Metformin:
Retail - $72.00 Price with Card $8.17
Simvastatin:
Retail $64.20 Price with Card $5.57
Physicians TC-Test strips box of 50 –
Retail - $60.41 Price with Card $53.85
Novolog Mix insulin 5 pre-filled 3cc pens –
Retail $46.19 Price with Card $43.30
1 10cc/ml vial-
Retail $119.58 Price with Card $108.38
QVAR inhaler –
Retail $82.86 Price with Card $75.87
DHD#10 programs help low incomes uninsured people get medically necessary health care services and medicine at local doctors offices and drug stores. The programs are supported by the DHD#10 Board of Health and by hospitals in the DHD#10 service area.