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By VICKI URBANIK Porter County residents can now pick up free prescription cards that could qualify them for discounts on medicines, particularly if they are uninsured or underinsured. The “Porter County Rx” cards are now available at a variety of public places, including township trustee offices, YMCAs, libraries and county offices. The cards may qualify individuals for prescription discounts, expected to be in the range of 20 to 25 percent. “Just come into any of those locations, pick one up, and they’re good to go,” said county insurance agent Mike Anton of Anton Insurance in Chesterton. Anton and agent Leigh Westergren gave the Porter County Commissioners an update on the prescription drug program Tuesday. The commissioners agreed to participate in the program earlier this year by joining the National Association of Counties, which offers counties the service at no additional cost. There is no cost to residents to use the cards, either. Westergren noted that the program is targeted toward people who either have no insurance or are under-insured. Individuals on Medicare Part B may also find a benefit by using the cards if they fall in the gap that won’t provide coverage. If a person has insurance and uses the card, the pharmacy will determine which plan offers the best discount for the customer, she said. North Porter County Commissioner John Evans, who first proposed the prescription drug program, said 54 counties in Indiana are in the program. “It’s been a big benefit” especially for those who lack health coverage, he said. The cards were available beginning on Tuesday at various locations throughout the county. There is no enrollment form or fee, and there is no limit on the number of times a card can be used. The cards are at or will be at locations including the County Administration Center; County Health Department; North Porter County Government Complex; the town halls in Chesterton, Porter, Burns Harbor and Dune Acres; the Duneland YMCA, along with the Ys in Portage and Valparaiso; Hageman and Thomas libraries, along with the county library branches; Westchester and Pine township trustee offices; and the Chesterton-Duneland Chamber of Commerce. An online check shows that numerous pharmacies in Porter County will accept the cards. To check a participating pharmacy, a price estimate for a particular prescription, or for more information go to www.caremark.com/naco. CEDIT Fees Also Tuesday, the commissioners agreed to ask the county council to appropriate an additional $100,000 toward a fund in the County Economic Development Income Tax plan for consultant fees. The fund in question already is used for consultant expenses, but the commissioners have a need to set aside more money for this purpose due to the number of times they seek outside guidance on such things as inspections and engineering costs, said County Commissioner President Robert Harper. He gave the example of a problematic stormwater system in the Tower Meadows subdivision that the commissioners are trying to resolve. There is a possibility that the project will need to be re-engineered; such consultant work could come out of the CEDIT fund, he said. Holidays Added Also Tuesday, the commissioners agreed to give two Fridays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, as added holidays for county government employees.
Posted 12/3/2008
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