Bay Cares Card - Prescription Discounts

BAY COUNTY, FL – Bay County announces the re-launch of the Bay Cares Card Program, aimed at helping consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs while also aiding the county in providing housing assistance for residents in need. The free prescription discount cards are available to the county through the National Association of Counties (NACo) and offer average savings of 25 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

“This is a program that Bay County has participated in for many years; however, under a new agreement with NACo, we will now receive $1 for every prescription filled. The money will help fund a rental assistance program for our local community,” Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore, who also serves on the county’s Housing Program Board, said.

Bay County residents who are uninsured or under-insured can save an average of 25 percent off the retail price of prescriptions by presenting participating pharmacies with the card. At this time, CVS pharmacies, Gulf Coast Pharmacy locations and Ascension Sacred Heart Bay pharmacy are participating in the program. The cards may be used by residents regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. There are no enrollment fees, restrictions or limits on the frequency of use. An entire family can use one discount card for all purchases.

The program also offers an additional safety benefit feature that alerts pharmacists when one drug may conflict with another medication that was purchased using the discount card.

“The Bay Cares Card offers significant savings for the uninsured and underinsured residents of our county, and even those who have prescription coverage can use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan, including the Medicare Part D plan” Moore said.

Best of all, he said, the cards cost Bay County taxpayers nothing.

“Using the Bay Cares Card is easy,” Bay County Housing Manager Tammy Harris said. “Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee, and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”

The Bay Cares Card is available and can be used at the following pharmacies: CVS pharmacies, Gulf Coast Pharmacy, and Ascension Sacred Heart Pharmacy. The cards are also available at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, Bay County Council on Aging, Bay County Department of Health, Bay County Government Center, Bay County Libraries, Bay County Transit Services, Bay County UF/IFAS Extension Center, Bay County Veterans Services, Doorways of Northwest Florida, Habitat for Humanity, Lead Coalition of Bay County, The Disability Resource Center and United Way of Northwest Florida.

The Bay Cares Card Program is administered locally by the Bay County Housing Services Division. For more information or to request cards, please contact Tammy Harris, Housing Program Manager at tharris@baycountyfl.gov or 850-215-2479.