Community Corner

Free Prescription Discount Cards Available in Allegheny County

More than $1 million was saved on prescriptions with the cards in 2012.

United Way of Allegheny County and the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership have teamed up to make prescriptions more affordable for individuals who lack adequate insurance. 

FamilyWize cards are free and can be used at most pharmacies including all chain pharmacies and groceries stores nationwide. People who use a FamilyWize card are given a discounted price for their prescription; average savings are almost 40 percent and can be as high as 75 percent.

Studies conducted show a concerning trend of under or uninsured individuals foregoing important medicine due to costs. 

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The Commonwealth Fund reports that 52 percent of uninsured adults with a chronic condition skipped doses or did not fill a prescription because of the cost. 

According to the Employee Benefits Research Institute, 31 percent of people who had a deductible of at least $1,000 skipped a dose or didn’t fill a prescription because of the cost.

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“This year, we’d like to see that everyone who needs medicine to live a healthy life, whether unemployed, uninsured or under insured, have access to it,” said Julie DeSeyn, director of Community Impact, United Way of Allegheny County. “We encourage these individuals to get a FamilyWize card from United Way to save an average of $20 per prescription. That’s money in their pocket that they can use for paying bills and other necessities.” 

FamilyWize cards saved 11,805 people in Allegheny County more than $1,150,995 in 2012. 

To receive a FamilyWize prescription discount card, contact PA 2-1-1 Southwest, United Way’s human services helpline by dialing 2-1-1.


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