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United Methodists using drug discount card save thousands

 


United Methodists using drug discount card save thousands

 

Aug. 10, 2004                                                            

By Fran Coode Walsh*

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-In early March, the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries announced a partnership with prescription drug and health discounter DestinationRx to offer a free card with discounts of up to 50 percent on medicine and other supplies.

To date, a total of $1.2 million in prescription drugs has been sold to United Methodist Association cardholders. The total savings was 28.8 percent, or $348,728.63

The Rev. Mearle Griffith, president and chief executive officer of the Dayton, Ohio-based association, says he’s pleased by the response. "One of the great satisfactions to me is to know that persons who needed help are getting help. Some people are now buying food who once had to make a choice between paying for groceries or paying for their prescriptions."

An estimated 44 million Americans do not have adequate prescription drug coverage and Griffith notes that this is a critical issue for 3 to 4 million United Methodists. "We’re an extension of the church and we have been concerned that there are people falling through the cracks, who do not have prescription drug benefits or who do not have health insurance," he said.

He has heard from several parish nurses who said the plan compliments their efforts to assist people with health care challenges.

Cardholder Robin Burgamy of Michigan wrote Griffith to say that "even though my husband and I are middle class and employed, our health insurance premiums rose 300 percent last year. … We were forced to shop for new insurance, but because we are adopting a baby girl, no private insurer will insure us at all for six months. … We were forced to get Medicaid for our baby girl. … We never thought we’d be without good insurance or drug coverage, and this has been alarming for us. … This couldn’t have come at a better time for us, and I know you are helping other families as well."

When the denomination held its General Conference - its top legislative assembly - last April, Griffith was approached by dozens of United Methodists who said they were appreciative of the program, which had already benefited their family members. The United Methodist Church is the first denomination to offer such a benefit and other traditions have also inquired about the process, hoping to set up similar plans within their churches.

The offer is not limited to church members, however. Griffith reports that many local churches have chosen to use the card as a mission project by identifying people in their congregation and community who could use the discount, and helping them complete the applications to receive the card. His goal is to continue spreading the word about the benefit across the denomination and local United Methodist congregations.

According to DestinationRx, 31,625 people have enrolled in the plan through the United Methodist Association. The discounter has contracts with 30,000 pharmacies across the country, including Target and Eckerd. Prescription drugs can be purchased at local participating pharmacies. Other items, including prescription drugs, contact lenses or even medicine for pets can be ordered online by logging on to www.destinationrx.com.

There are a number of ways to enroll in the program. Those interested may go to the Web site, www.destinationrx.com/save, or send their name, address, telephone number and birthdate (optional) to: DestinationRx Member Services, 2245 Enterprise Parkway, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087. The toll-free information number is (800) 379-9040.

Enrollees must use the group code of UMA001 on the enrollment form.

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*Walsh is coordinating producer of UMTV, a unit of United Methodist News Service.

News media contact Fran Coode Walsh at (615) 742-5470, or newsdesk@umcom.org .

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