Passaic County Launches New Wellness Program to Provide Discount Health Coverage to All Residents

Program Includes Shared-Service Agreement with Bergen County

Paterson, NJ - October 29, 2009 – In conjunction with county officials from neighboring Bergen County, Passaic County Freeholder Director Tahesha Way unveiled a new discount health coverage program to be offered to all residents within Passaic County, Wednesday afternoon at the Golden Club Age in Wanaque.

According to Freeholder Director Way, the County’s new Wellness Program will provide discounts on health care services to residents and families, regardless of age or income.  All of our residents are eligible to enroll in the program, and no one will be required to pay a membership fee for the service.

“This new service is free, there are no fees for participating and the discounts are automatic.  And, most importantly, our taxpayers will pay a single additional dollar in taxes for our residents to benefit from our Wellness Program,” stated Director Way.   

Residents who join the Wellness Program will be provided a 10%-50% discount on all of their prescription drugs.  Hearing exams will be free of charge and enrollees will receive up to a 50% discount on hearing aids.  Cost-free vision examinations will be covered as well as discounts on needed eye glasses.  Additionally, residents that own pets will receive discounts on animal prescriptions as well.

“I am truly excited that Passaic County will be implementing the Wellness Program.  This is certainly a win-win arrangement for all of our residents, and taxpayers.  Our most vulnerable residents – children and seniors – will benefit tremendously by this new shared services initiative, as it provides huge discounts toward health expenses for our working families.

Way added, “Another featured speaker at Wednesday’s affair, Bergen County Freeholder Julie O’Brien, shared with the audience some of the benefits residents had received since the Wellness Program’s inception in neighboring Bergen County, in 2007.  According to Freeholder O’Brien, the Wellness Program currently saves Bergen County residents approximately $300,000 per month, and the monthly savings continues to steadily increase.

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