Hudson County residents faced with rising prescription drug costs have another alternative thanks to a new plan unveiled last week.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Freeholder Chairman Sal Vega and Bayonne Freeholder Barry Dugan paid a visit to a local pharmacy to launch a new prescription savings card plan for residents.
The plan will save eligible residents between 10 and 50 percent of prescription medicine costs, DeGise said. Dugan said he heard about the plan from a constituent, and began to make phone calls.
“The more I heard about it,” he said, “the more I thought we could use it here in Hudson County.”
The plan – established by pharmacists throughout the state – would cost residents $20 a year or $40 for three years, and would provide discounts on drugs.
The discounts come as a result of a network of pharmacies called the Garden State Pharmacy Owners Provider Services, in which pharmacies throughout the state will honor the card.
GSPOPS administers similar programs in several other counties in New Jersey, including Middlesex, Mercer, Bergen, and Somerset as well as approximately 90 municipalities in New Jersey. Savings to eligible participants range from 10 to 50 percent off regular retail process on brand-name and generic drugs. This program is targeted to help those not covered by an employer or retirement prescription program or the New Jersey PAAD program, which protects seniors whose incomes fall below state income limits.
Additionally, applicants will not be denied even if they have a pre-existing condition.
DeGise said the card would be of particular benefit to senior citizens, who are struggling to afford the high costs of prescription drugs and face the loss of several state prescription drug-purchasing programs in the state under a new federal plan.
Dugan, however, said the plan is open to all age groups and could particularly benefit people who currently are not covered by existing insurance.
There is no limit on the number of prescriptions covered. There are no quantity limits; participates can receive as much medication as prescribed by their doctor. There are no deductibles to meet and other than the initial membership application, there are no forms to fill out.
All brand name and generic drugs that require a prescription under federal and state law are included and there are no exclusions.
The Prescription Savings Card is accepted throughout a network of over 1,700 participating chains and independent pharmacies in New Jersey and over 56,000 nationwide, including all 50 states and U.S. Territories.
There are also no income or other restrictions, and the plan is open to residents throughout Hudson County.
Seniors can sign up for this plan as well as one of the plans the federal government is about to present, and can comparison shop when purchasing prescriptions so as to determine which plan gives the better discount.
According to GSPOPS Executive Vice President Thomas Viola, seniors can continue to use local pharmacies. DeGise said nearly every pharmacy in the state has signed onto the program.
The county adopted the program after Dugan brought the matter to the freeholders’ attention and the program was evaluated by the Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs Committee.
“The freeholders wanted to make certain that it was legal,” Dugan said.
Residents can check on their own drug discounts before signing up for the program by logging onto the website www.gospops.com or by calling (800) 633-0037. People can also get more information about signing up for the program by calling the Hudson County Office on Aging at (201) 271-4322.