How it Works
The FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card enables you to receive discounted pricing on prescription drugs. This is not
insurance. Rather, it is a program that offers immediate discounts on
prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. Simply present your card with
each prescription from your doctor to the participating pharmacy at the
time of purchase to receive your discounts. If you need to transfer a
prescription, bring your empty prescription bottle or label with you to the
pharmacy.
Save an average of 20% off the pharmacy's usual and customary retail price of
prescription drugs, with the highest savings on generic drugs.
Your cost for medication will be the discount price offered through this
program, or the pharmacy's usual and customary retail price, whichever is
lower. This means you are assured the lowest price in that store, at the time
you purchase the medication. If the pharmacy's price is lower, there is no savings or discount.
Tips to Save More
Consult with your physician about alternative therapies
Before you begin a new prescription medication, talk with your doctor about
non-prescription modifications to your lifestyle, diet or exercise. These
changes may postpone, reduce or avoid the need for the cost of and taking a new
medication.
Review your other medications
Disclose all the medications that you are taking to your physician and
pharmacist before they prescribe or dispense a new medication. Some medications
may intensify or reduce the effectiveness of another, or may even possibly
duplicate the effects of another drug you are taking.
Select the lowest-cost alternative
Many brand-name prescription medications have a generic equivalent. Generic
drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety and
effectiveness, and are manufactured under the same strict rules that apply to
their brand-name twin. So ask your physician and pharmacist if there is a
generic drug that will save you money. If no generic equivalent is available,
there may still be a lower-cost alternative within the same class of drugs that
performs the functions your care requires. Once again, consult with your
physician on these money-saving alternatives.
Obtain a larger supply
In most instances, your cost per dosage will decrease as the amount you have
dispensed at one time increases. If you will be taking a medication for an
extended period of time, ask your physician if it would be appropriate to
prescribe a 90-day supply rather than a 30-day supply.
Shop only at preferred pharmacies
All chain pharmacies and most independent pharmacies have been given equal
opportunity to serve you via this program. Participating pharmacies are
required to offer you deep discounts and assist in performing some fairly
complicated drug management procedures for card holders, and not all pharmacies
agree to participate. However, that gives you the confidence of knowing that
pharmacies participating in this program are concerned with your health and
saving you money, and therefore, are deserving of your business and loyalty.
Show your card every time
To ensure your medication is checked for safety and billed at the correct
price, your pharmacist needs to transmit valuable information in your card. In
some instances, the pharmacist may store your card information in their
computer. However, to be certain you receive the maximum benefit, you need to
show your card each time you have your prescriptions filled.
Understand your drug therapy
You invest a lot of money in medications. In order to get the most value for
your dollar, you need to understand how to use your prescription drugs
effectively. Make sure your physician and pharmacist explain how and when to
take each prescription medication. Some factors to consider when trying to get
the most from your medication are the effects of:
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Food and water being taken with your medication.
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The time of day you take your medication.
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Effects of other medications, including over-the-counter drugs, on your
prescription.
Store your medications properly
Most medications will lose their effectiveness when they are subject to heat,
moisture, light, or time. A steamy bathroom or a purse left in a hot car are
examples of bad places to keep medicine. Store your medications in a cool, dark
place. Remember to carry your daily or weekly medications in a pillbox to avoid
damaging your entire supply of medication. Also, always remember to check
expiration dates and dispose of expired medications by flushing them down the
toilet.
Talk with your physician
Make sure that your physician knows that saving money is important to you. Ask
that they prescribe a generic equivalent or lower-cost alternative if at all
appropriate. Also, make sure that they know about any other drugs you are
taking that may alter the effectiveness of the medication they are prescribing.
Finally, make sure that you understand the drug therapy they prescribe so that
you obtain the most value from the drugs that you are about to invest in. The
following "Message to Physicians"
contains information that should assist you in talking with your doctor about
saving money.
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MESSAGE TO PHYSICIANS
This plan is designed to save your patient money and promote good health. Use
of alternative medications recommended at the point-of-sale is not required.
This plan will only reject a prescription on the basis of a
medication-to-medication interaction. Please make sure your patient discloses
all the medications they are taking and understands their medication therapy,
including possible drug and food interactions.
This plan has no maximum day or quantity limits. This allows the patient to
obtain larger quantities of maintenance medications that may result in greater
cost savings. When appropriate, please prescribe a generic medication therapy,
or consider dispensing the lowest-cost alternative within the therapeutic
class. Please also consider recommending pill splitting of a higher dosage
and/or alternative medication when appropriate. This may offer the consumer
greater savings.
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About Your Savings
Ask your doctor about generic drugs. On average, generics cost 20-70 percent
less and produce the same results as comparable brand-name drugs.
Your cost for medication will be the discount price offered through this
program, or the pharmacy's usual and customary retail price, whichever is
lower. This means you are assured the lowest price in that store, at the time
you purchase the medication.
*All Benefits subject to the Terms of Use, change
without notice and some restrictions apply.
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