SPRINGFIELD -- Greene County residents can now pick up new discount drug cards that could cut their prescription costs.  The cards are available to any county resident -- with no eligibility requirements.

  The Greene County Rx Prescription Discount Cards are made available through the National Association of Counties (NACo), which has a deal through a pharmaceutical company, Caremark Rx.  And they could work for people who don’t have insurance as well as those who do, and those of any age or income.

  With an average savings of 20 percent, Greene County commissioners say there's no harm in picking up a card to see if it works.  But there are a few things that consumers should know.

  First, users must be county residents, and use the card at one of the more than 70 participating pharmacies in the county.  Second, don't expect too much.

  “You cannot use this card in combination with your insurance,” said Camille Knowles, Greene County’s assistant human resources director.

  People may already have a health plan that offers better coverage.  There's no hard and fast rule about which might save more money.

   “It's based on what the prescription is, the quantity of your purchase and the prices of the particular pharmacy you use,” said Knowles.

  On the other hand, even if someone has drug coverage, he may find better savings with the card.  Associate County Commissioner Roseanne Bentley did.  She saved $30 on stomach pills.

  “Virtually all types of prescription drugs are discounted.  Even some pet meds are discounted.  That's good news for pet lovers,” said Bentley.

  Also, it turns out Greene County is the fourth county in the state to join the NACo program. The others are Boone, Polk, and Jasper.
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Edited news release from Greene County:

Here’s how the program works: Residents may pick up a card and present it to their pharmacists when purchasing prescription drugs.  The discount card may be used in place of prescription drug insurance or by those lacking coverage. The advantage to using the card in place of insurance is that it may offer better savings and it may cover drugs not included in many insurance plans. Pharmacists may advise their customers of the option for each drug purchase. Some pet medications are also discounted with the card.

One card works for an entire family and there is no limit to how many times a card can be used.  No registration is necessary and a card can be used immediately at participating pharmacies.  The discount will vary based upon the type and quantity of a prescription, but the average savings is 20 percent, according to NACo.

More than 70 pharmacies in Greene County will honor the discount cards, in addition to more than 57,000 pharmacies nationwide. For a complete list of participating pharmacies in Greene County, call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit https://naco.advancerx.com.

Cards are available for pickup at Jordan Valley Community Health Center, OACAC Central Office, WIC and Springfield-Greene County Health Department clinics, as well as all Springfield-Greene County libraries and Bookmobile stops, the Southside, Northview and Ash Grove senior centers, City Utilities and the CU Bus Transfer Station, the Missouri State University Plaster Student Union, the Greene County Historic Courthouse and the Greene County Commission Building.