New County program offers reduced costs
for prescriptions and other health care needs
Discounts available to everyone with no age or income restrictions
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has some good news for people grappling with the rising costs of health care.
Soon, residents of Monmouth County will be able to save thousands of dollars on their prescription medicines, dental care, eye exams and vision correction under a new Wellness Discount Program. The program has no age or income restrictions and signup is free.
“Besides being available to all county residents, this new program has no annual limits, no health restrictions or exclusions and no paperwork,” said Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, liaison to the county’s Office on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Interment Affairs, which will administer the program. “It is an opportunity for everyone to save money on the cost of their health care by providing discounts on prescription medicines, hearing and eye exams, eye glasses, dental care and more.”
The Wellness Discount Program works this way: present your card to the health care provider and get a discount.
For example, when you buy your medications and present the discount card you will receive anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent off the price. For each prescription you buy this way, Monmouth County will receive 50 cents, which will go toward the cost of administering the program. The county only receives money on the prescription program.
“This is a winner on two levels,” Mallet said. Not only will residents get their medications at a cheaper rate, but the county will benefit, too.”
For vision, eye and dental care, there are providers to choose from who offer discounts with no remuneration to the county.
Thomas Pivinski, director of the Office on Aging, said, “The Wellness Discount Program reduces medical costs for everyone. It is not an insurance program, but it provides for substantial discounts for services that may not be covered under a person’s regular insurance or Medicare. With regard to prescriptions, it will help those with high drug costs when they meet the ‘doughnut’ level.”
Discounts are available for:
- prescription drugs;
- hearing exams and aids;
- vision exam, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and lasik eye surgery;
- dental care;
- diabetic supplies,
- pet medications.
“All a person has to do is show the discount card to the health care provider for the discount,” Pivinski said. “The drug program, called the Freedom Program, saves from 10 percent to 50 percent. It also discounts prescriptions for pets. Most major pharmacy chains accept the card.”
Savings for other health care needs can be obtained this way:
- Vision care is through the US Vision Plan, which provides discounts on both eye examinations and corrective materials. Major eye glass chains participate in the program.
- Likewise, the US Hearing Plan offers a hearing evaluation and up to 50 percent off most major brands of hearing aids.
- For dental, the Choice Plus Dental Plan provides a 30 percent discount on the annual cost of purchasing a dental discount insurance plan.
- The Diabetic Savings Plan is a mail-order program that will reduce supply expenses.
A similar program was begun in Bergen County two years ago and it has helped several hundred thousand Bergen County residents obtain health care at discounted rates.
For more information on the Wellness Discount Program or to obtain a discount card, please call the Monmouth County Office on Aging at 732-431-7450.
Cards also will be available at public libraries, senior centers, food banks and food pantries, through elementary and middle schools, unemployment officers, Salvation Army thrift shops and the Monmouth County Health Department.