News from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Public Information Contacts: Linda Van Zandt / Joanne Vuoso / Lisa Krueger

908.231.7020 publicinfo@co.somerset.nj.us

July 21, 2003

Somerset County Offers Prescription Savings Plan

All County Residents Are Eligible

Somerset County residents have a new way to save money on prescription drugs.

The Somerset County Board of Freeholders has contracted with Garden State Pharmacy Owners Provider Services Corp. (GSPOPS) to offer a prescription savings program to any Somerset County resident for a low annual fee of $20 per household. A discounted three-year fee of $40 per household also is available.

“We recognize that the price of prescription drugs is of major concern not only to our senior citizens, but to residents of all ages, especially those without jobs or with limited incomes,” said Freeholder Ken Scherer, human services liaison. “As a county governing body, it’s beyond our ability to legislate change in this area, but we can do something to help ease the burden on our own residents.”

Savings to eligible residents range from up to 10 to 50 percent off regular retail prices on brand-name and generic drugs. Eligibility for this new Prescription Savings Program is limited to Somerset County residents and their dependents living in the same household.

After mailing the completed application form, along with the required proof of residency and membership fee, eligible members will receive a Prescription Savings Card by mail. Participants simply present their Prescription Savings Card to their pharmacy along with prescriptions to be filled or refilled.

The Prescription Savings Card is a discount savings card and is not a managed care or supplemental insurance program. The card cannot be used in combination with other programs for the same prescription purchase.

There are no income limits for participation. There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

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Prescription Savings Program

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There is no limit on the number of prescriptions covered. There are no quantity limits; participants can receive as much medication as is prescribed. There are no deductibles to meet, and there are no forms to fill out other than the membership application. Savings begin automatically; the Prescription Savings Card will arrive active and ready to use.

All brand-name and generic drugs that require a prescription under federal and state law are included; there are no exclusions. Medication switches or calls to the participant’s physician are not necessary.

The Prescription Savings Card is accepted throughout an extensive network of over 1,700 participating chain and independent pharmacies in New Jersey and over 56,000 nationwide, including all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Mail-order services also are available.

Residents may call the GSPOPS toll-free customer service number with any questions about how to sign up: 1-800-633-0037.

A hard-copy registration form must be completed by each applicant, since an original signature is required. The form is available on the county’s website (www.co.somerset.nj.us) but it cannot be completed online, only printed, because of the signature requirement.

Prescription Savings Program Brochure & Application Form – PDF File