CATLETTSBURG — On Tuesday Boyd County joined a growing list of Kentucky counties, which have approved participating in a free program designed to help residents obtain cheaper prescription drugs.
Under the program sponsored by the Kentucky Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties qualifying residents can receive average discounts of 21.1 percent on the retail costs of their prescriptions. The program is free of cost to the county and to participants.
“It’s the first thing I’ve ever run into where you get something for nothing. It can only help people, particularly people who don’t have medical cards,” said Boyd County Judge-Executive Bill Scott.
Discount cards are provided to the county by KaCo and distributed to residents. The cards are honored by more than 1,000 pharmacies in Kentucky, including local drug stores and national chains such as Wal-Mart, CVS and Rite Aid. The program administrator, Caremark, negotiates the discounts directly with the participating pharmacies.
According to Tim Sturgill, general council for KaCo, 26 counties in Kentucky have returned the paperwork to participate in the program.
Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties are the only counties in the FIVCO region that have approved the program yet, he said. He added, however, that he expects every county in Kentucky will eventually participate.
No Kentucky county has received their cards, which typically take eight weeks to arrive once all the paperwork is turned in, Sturgill said.
Carter County, which approved the measure Aug. 28 will be one of the first counties to get the cards, probably at the end of October or early in November.
Judge-Executive Charles Wallace said he expects the cards to be popular. “I figure we’re going to give a pretty good bunch of people apply for these cards,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people that are on minimum income in Carter County. I thought it would be good to get them some rebate on their prescription drugs to help them out. I’m always looking for something that we can do to help the citizens of the county out.”
In addition to saving residents money, officials expect the cards to save the county money on the cost of prescription drugs for inmates.
A KACo letter introducing the program, cited a story in the Ames, Iowa, newspaper in which the administrator of the Story County, Iowa, jail is quoted as saying that his institution, which averages 95 prisoners a day, is expected to save about $12,000 a year by using the cards.
Local News
Boyd joins free plan
Helps residents obtain cheaper prescriptions
- Local News
-
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
-
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”
-
More updates coming to Boyd jail
While a nonfunctional fire alarm system has been fixed, the Boyd County Detention Center is now dealing with problems in another of its security systems.
-
APD probes early morning stabbing
Ashland police are investigating a stabbing in the area of 30th Street and Greenup Avenue early Tuesday morning.
-
Local briefs: 2/8/12
A Carter County man was killed Monday in an all-terrain vehicle accident.
-
3 indicted in grave-marker thefts
A Carter County grand jury has indicted three in connection with the December theft of metal markers from the graves of World War II veterans.
-
Boyd to save money with refinancing
The Boyd County Fiscal Court is planning to save money by refinancing a bond issued for work on the county’s jail and sewer system.
-
White-nose syndrome found in more Kentucky caves
The mysterious and deadly disease that has been killing bats for several years in the United States has reached more caves in Kentucky.
-
A haunted hunt for a hidden hundred
On the heels of a tremendously popular effort in Louisa, “the Scare Crew” from the Fallsburg Haunted House will begin its next Haunted Hunt for Cash in Ashland this week, starting with a clue on the organization’s Facebook page.
-
Minton asks for additional funding
With several circuit clerks seated behind him, Kentucky’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court told a legislative budget subcommittee Tuesday the court system can’t retain entry-level employees because as soon as they are trained they’re hired away by the executive branch.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
