Commission learns of Coast2Coast program

In a meeting devoid of much action Tuesday, Jan. 8, the Marengo County Commission learned of the launch of the Coast2Coast free discount prescription card now available to the county’s residents.

Ron Howard, Distribution Partner with Coast2Coast, said the distribution of the cards to all clinics, pharmacies and county buildings had been completed the previous day. Anyone interested in taking advantage of the program needs only to pick up a card and fill it out.

While the cards are designed to help people who have no prescription drug coverage at all, it sometimes can benefit those who have insurance with lower drug costs and filling in to help during the Medicare “doughnut hole.”

It’s like using a coupon from the newspaper, Howard explained.

The card also may be used with some dental work, vision care, hearing exams, diabetic supplies and even prescription pet medicines.

“The key to success is awareness of the program,” said Howard. The more the cards are used, the more the county benefits.

The Coast2Coast Rx Card program “puts each of us in the same position as the insurance companies,” Howard continued. Those companies don’t pay retail for drugs, and neither do those who use the card.

The program is free to the county and free to residents, he continued. The worst case is that it doesn’t save any money, but it never costs anything.

The card can be used across the United States at any pharmacy that takes part in the program. Every pharmacy in Marengo County is signed up to participate.

In Alabama last year residents saved $3.3 million in drug costs, he continued.

Before business began, John Crawford Jr. passed the gavel of chairmanship to Calvin Martin.

The commission unanimously approved hiring William W. “Wade” Driver to be deputy coroner for the county and gave its OK for a liquor license for Cay Holdings.

Commission members tabled action on approving 2013 holidays for county employees.

Crawford received approval from the commission to appoint Greg Gates to the Economic Development Authority Board and, if Gates declines, to give approval to Joylee Gunter.