Since 2009, the FamilyWize Program has saved Whatcom County more than $415,000 on prescription drugs.
What is the FamilyWize card?
The FamilyWize card is a free resource for anyone to use, regardless of their age, income or residency restrictions. Using the FamilyWize card saves an average of 30% or more on prescription drugs. It covers medicine not covered by insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or other benefit plans. There is no cost to United Way, your organization or people using the cards. There is also no registration, activation, paperwork or enrollment.
The FamilyWize card can be found at pharmacies, organizations and businesses in Whatcom County, or by calling FamilyWize at 1-800-300-3301.
The FamilyWize card can be found at most pharmacies in Whatcom County. These include Costco, Fairhaven United Drugs, Fred Meyer, Haggen, Hoagland, Nooksack Valley Durg, Safeway, Sumas Drug, Target, and Walmart. Rite Aid and Walgreens accept the cards, but their corporate does not want to help display or distribute cards. Although some pharmacies do not display the card, each of these pharmacies accept the FamilyWize card. Please thank your pharmacist for providing this generous discount!
Cards can also be found at these organizations; Womencare Shelter and Domestic Violence Services, Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center, Catholic Community Services NW, Brigid Collins Family Support Center, Bellwether Medical Center, Evergreen Aids, YWCA, Bellingham Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, Opportunity Council, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County, Whatcom County Council on Aging (and all Senior Centers in Whatcom County), Max Higbee Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Northwest Regional Council, Interfaith Health Center, and the Salvation Army.
To print a list of participating pharmacies, click here.
You can also recieve a card in the mail by calling FamilyWize at 1-800-300-3301.
Why is it needed?
•4 out of 10 Americans have trouble paying for prescriptions
•29% have not filled prescriptions because of the high cost
•23% skipped doses or cut doses in half to save money*
The Public on Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceutical Companies
USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health Report March 2008
What do I need to know about the card?
It's free
FamilyWize cards are being distributed free of charge nationwide by participating United Ways, community and faith-based organizations, county agencies, doctors, businesses, some pharmacies, and individuals. All funding for this program is provided by part of the processing fee that is included in the cost of medicines paid for at the time of purchase and by in-kind donations and reduced costs from the program sponsors.
•No cost to the United Way, your organization or people using the cards
•The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership brings together service-oriented companies and organizations that provide vital services - free or at reduced cost
•The Pharmacy Benefits Manager provides part of the processing fee included in cost of medicine to cover administrative costs
•More than 800 local United Ways, America's Promise Alliance Partners & others organize distribution of cards to people that need them
It's easy
•Just present the card to participating pharmacies for discounted prices
•Pricing is the lesser of the discounted price of pharmacy's retail price
•Cards are bilingual, in Spanish and English
It saves money
•Saves an average of 30% for you and your family on 8 out of 10 prescriptions
•Saves an average of 20% for individuals and families with no prescription coverage and prescriptions not covered by insurance
No restrictions
•Covers all prescription drugs
•No enrollment, paperwork or registration required
•Accepted at most pharmacies nationwide
•Covers all medicine not covered by insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or other benefit plans
•Use as many times as you need
•Use for anyone in your family
•Covers everyone with no health insurance or prescription coverage
•No income limit
•No age requirement
How is the FamilyWize card funded?
•The savings on the cost of the medicine is provided by the pharmacies
•Discounts are provided by and available only at participating pharmacies-it's not health insurance
•Pharmacies have agreed to accept prices for medications that are close to the prices they make available to large insurance companies and employers
•All other program costs are provided by in-kind donations from the program sponsors and by part of the processing fee included in the cost of the medicine
•The discount works through Envision, a Pharmacy Benefits Manager.
Who is the FamilyWize organization?
FamilyWize community service partnership was established in 2005 by Dan and Susan Barnes to reduce the cost of medicine for people who live and work in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.
FamilyWize is not a non-profit. Most of their costs are covered through donations and sponsors, but the costs of non-sponsored things (such as phones, computers and a few part-time employees by Envision). All Pharmacy Benefits Managers have a processing fee, and Envision provides part of theirs to FamilyWize. The goal of the FamilyWize partnership is to reduce the cost of medicine for children, families and individuals by $100 million.
To Display Cards at your business or organization: Please contactUnited Way of Whatcom County at 360-733-8670
