By Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau
DELHI _ A year ago, the Delaware County Board of Supervisors signed an agreement with ProAct to help uninsured or underinsured county residents offset the high cost of prescriptions. The program is expanding to include other services.
From February 2009 through January 2010, county residents used 4,131 ProAct prescription cards to save a total of $250,756 on prescriptions, Delaware County personnel officer Teddie Storey said.
ProAct is a reduced-cost prescription program that saves an average of 10 percent to 20 percent on the cost of brand-name drugs and 50 percent on generic drugs.
Storey said savings averaged 46 percent.
The free program is not a form of insurance but offers a cash discount to people who pay out of pocket for their medications.
Storey said people who participate will have three additional benefits available, including eye benefits, LASIK eye surgery and hearing products and services.
The program offered up to 20 percent off eye examinations and up to 50 percent off eyeglass frames and lenses.
To print a card and get details on the eye benefits program, visit www.NYRxDiscountCard.com.
The LASIK program offers up to 50 percent off the national average price of the procedure. To find a provider and schedule an appointment, call (877) 201-3852.
The hearing services offers savings of 35 percent to 65 percent on brand-name hearing aids and products. To find a provider and schedule an appointment, call (866) 956-5400.
There is no registration required, and any resident of Delaware County, regardless of age, is eligible to receive a free card and participate in the prescription-drug discount program.
The discount card is accepted at most local pharmacies in Delaware County and at more than 55,000 pharmacies nationwide or through a mail service.
The prescription drug plan is free to those participating, and there was no cost to the county or to county taxpayers, Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Eisel said.
People who did not receive a prescription card in the mail may pick one up at a local pharmacy or at the Board of Supervisors office in the Sen. Charles D. Cook County Office Building at 111 Main St. in Delhi.
For questions regarding the card, visit www.proactrx.com.
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
