COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
STRATEGIES
Program Overview & Strategies
Table of Contents
Program Overview
& Strategies................... 2,3
Best Practices................. 4
Promotional Materials.... 5
Sample Promotional
Materials....................... 6,7
Frequently Asked
Questions...................... 8,9,10
Resident Program
Announcement............... 11
Additional
Communication Tools......12
Key Contacts..................12
Program template
materials are available at
www.naco.org/drugcard.
Select “Counties” to
access materials.
The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program is just one of the advantages of
NACo membership. The program meets county objectives to provide additional
services to assist county residents who are struggling financially without impacting
county budgets.
This free program provides a number of benefits to participants, including:
• Average savings of 24 percent
• More than 60,000 participating pharmacies
• Savings on specialty medications
• No enrollment fees
• No age requirements
• No income requirements
• Family coverage with just one card
• Pet coverage
• Unlimited use
• Access to www.caremark.com/naco to access the program tools,
such as pharmacy locator, and use the “Print an ID” card function.
Strategies
The key to encouraging residents to participate is making them aware of the
program and its benefits. Throughout these pages, we are providing you with
useful tools that will help do this.
The promotional strategies and tactics provided are suggestions to consider
when developing a plan to introduce the program to the county residents.
• Media/Public Relations: Securing media coverage for the program is
an effective way to communicate the benefits of the program. In the program
media strategies provided to counties, are a number of media and public
relations tools, such as press material templates, and scripts for radio public
service announcements.
• Community Services & County Events: Promote and distribute
NACo prescription discount cards through existing community outreach
services. Local events, such as town hall meetings, county fairs or health
fairs, are good opportunities to promote the program and distribute
NACo prescription discount cards to your residents who are uninsured,
underinsured or take prescriptions that are not covered by their insurance.
A PowerPoint presentation is also available for use at these events.
• County Website: Promoting the NACo Prescription Discount Card
Program on the county website is another effective way to communicate
with residents. The website provides easy access for residents to print a
NACo prescription discount card and use the Internet tools that support
the program.
A web banner ad and draft web content can be provided with a link from
the county website to the program website (www.caremark.com/naco).
Here, residents can print an ID card and access program tools. Please
submit any web content to NACo and CVS Caremark for approval
prior to use.
• Website Banner Ads: Consider working with community service
and other local organizations to place banner advertisements on their
websites. These may link to the county’s web page for the program or
to the main program participant website (www.caremark.com/naco.)
• Radio/TV: Counties are encouraged to use local television and
radio advertising to communicate to residents. Often, advertising for
this program qualifies as a public service announcement, which drastically
reduces or eliminates any advertising costs. Radio public service
announcement scripts are included in the media strategies available
to counties.
Program template materials are
available at www.naco.org/drugcard.
Select “Counties” to access materials.
Nine out of ten
pharmacies
nationwide
participate in
the program
Best Practices
Resident awareness is the key to ensure the success of the NACo Prescription
Discount Card Program. Many counties around the country have successfully
launched this program, so we are providing you with some of their best
practices focused on notifying residents about the program.
Mailings
Communicating directly with county residents can be done by including
an ID card and/or program information in county mailings that are already
scheduled.
These could include:
• Water bills
• Tax statements
• Newsletters
• Any other related mailings
Distribution
Counties can also make program information and cards directly available
to key populations by distributing at suggested organizations/locations:
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Boys & Girls Clubs
• Charity organizations
• Clinics/hospitals
• Colleges
• Convenience stores
• County agency buildings (tax collector, assessor, permits, etc.)
• County facilities
• Courthouses
• Daycare centers
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Employee fairs
• Grocery stores
• Health associations
• Jails and detention centers
• Major athletic events
• Pharmacies
• Physician offices
• Religious/ethnic centers
• Senior centers
• Social service agencies
• Social service centers
• YMCA
Promotional Materials
To make promoting the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program easier,
a number of pre-approved promotional materials are available.
If additional material is developed or revisions are made
to pre-approved material, the material must be sent to
NACo and CVS Caremark for approval prior to use.
Materials include:
• Promotional Poster: The 11x17 posters are customized with
the county name and seal to be posted around the community to
raise awareness of the program. Available in English and Spanish.
See page 6.
• Display Stands: These stands hold the ID cards/brochure
at county distribution locations. Available in English and Spanish.
See page 6.
• ID Cards: The cards, which are customized for your county,
are delivered to your county. Available in English and Spanish.
See page 7.
• Bill Insert ID Card: This ID card insert can be included in
resident direct mail communications, such as a property tax bill.
The customized inserts are designed to be lightweight to have
minimal, if any, effect on postage. See page 7.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FAQs are provided
to answer a variety of program questions your residents may have.
Topics covered include general questions, pricing and pharmacy
questions, and questions on specialty pharmacy. Available in
English and Spanish. See page 8.
• Resident Program Announcement: Pre-approved copy
designed to promote the program to county residents by letter,
e-mail, newsletters, etc., is also included in the marketing materials.
Available in English and Spanish. See page 11.
Sample Promotional Materials
Use the material on the following pages to help you promote and raise
awareness of the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program.
Promotional Posters
Display Stands
ID Cards
The program
can be used
anytime a
prescription
is not covered
by insurance.
Bill Insert
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How much does the program cost?
Your prescription discount card is provided to you free of charge by the county.
Does everyone in my family need an individual card?
No. Everyone in the family may use the same card if desired.
Can I use this card to get discounts on my pet’s medication(s)?
Yes, if your pet has been prescribed a medication that is also used to treat
a human condition, you may receive a discount on the medication by taking
the prescription to a participating retail pharmacy.
I just received my card. Can I use it right away?
Yes, just use your card to start saving immediately. Present your prescription
discount card at a participating retail pharmacy when you fill or refill your
prescriptions.
I’ve lost my card. How can I get a replacement?
Please visit www.caremark.com/naco to print a live ID card or call toll-free
1-877-321-2652.
Can I use my card to get discounts on over-the-counter
products and non-prescription medications?
Not usually. However, discounts are available for many diabetic supplies.
How is this prescription discount program different from
traditional prescription insurance?
This is not insurance; it is a prescription discount program. The card provides
immediate discounts at the pharmacy. Upon presenting your card to the
pharmacist, you will pay the lower of a discounted price or the pharmacy’s
regular retail price. There are no claim forms to fill out and no limit to the
number of times you can use the card. These discounts are available only
at participating retail pharmacies.
Can I use my prescription discount card with my current
insurance benefit to reduce my costs?
Your card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurance. However,
you are able to use your card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered
by these plans.
Can I still use my prescription discount card if I sign up for
a Medicare prescription plan?
Yes, you can use your prescription discount card anytime you need to
purchase a prescription that is not covered by your Medicare prescription
plan or any other insurance.
Should I use my prescription discount card during my deductible
and coverage gap periods for covered medications?
No. Only use your prescription discount card to purchase non-covered
medications.
Can I use my prescription discount card in addition to my
Medicare prescription plan and get additional discounts?
No. You need to present either your Medicare prescription plan card or your
prescription discount card. Only use your prescription discount card when
purchasing medications not covered by your Medicare prescription plan.
I’m not going to sign up for a Medicare prescription plan.
Can I still use my prescription discount card?
Yes, you can continue to use your prescription discount card just as you do today.
PHARMACY AND PRICING QUESTIONS
Which pharmacies accept the card?
The prescription discount card is accepted at more than 60,000 retail
pharmacies nationwide, including many of the leading chains. Ask your
local pharmacy if they participate, visit www.caremark.com/naco and search
using the ‘Locate a Pharmacy’ (use the fourth link under ‘Quick Links’) function
or call toll-free 1-877-321-2652 to find out if a specific pharmacy participates
in the program.
How much will I save?
While savings on each prescription may vary, you can save an average of
24% off of the pharmacy’s regular retail prices for prescriptions. In addition,
you may save even more by choosing from our list of select medications.
This list is comprised of products offering additional savings.
Will I always receive the lowest price?
Yes. You will receive the best price available to you through this program at the
pharmacy. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower
than the discount rate provided by the card. If that occurs, you will receive the
lower price.
Can I find out the discounted price of my prescriptions before
going to the pharmacy?
Because prices can vary by location, only the actual pharmacy can tell you the
exact price of the prescription. However, you can look up an estimated price
for medications at www.caremark.com/naco, or call toll-free 1-877-321-2652.
Why did the price of my prescription change since the last time
I purchased the prescription?
Drug prices are different from pharmacy to pharmacy. Even chains have
different prices in their stores depending on the population they are servicing.
Additionally, manufacturers’ drug prices change periodically.
The brochure says I can save an average of 24% on my
prescription medication. Will I save 24% on all my medications?
Because a pharmacy’s retail price or usual and customary charge can differ
greatly by pharmacy, your exact percentage of savings may vary depending
on the prescription.
Do I have to choose between my prescription discount card
and a retail pharmacy flat rate generic pricing plan?
No, always present your prescription discount card at a participating
pharmacy so you will receive the lowest price available from the pharmacy
for that prescription medicine on that day. You will receive the flat rate price
when applicable and the prescription discount card discounted price when
it is lower.
Should I still present my prescription discount card at a retail
pharmacy when buying generic medicine listed on a flat rate
generic pricing plan?
Average
savings
of 24%
Yes, always present your prescription discount card when buying prescriptions
not covered by a prescription drug benefit plan. For medicine on a generic
pricing list, you will pay either the flat rate or the prescription discount card
price, whichever is lower.
If I show my prescription discount card, can I get an additional
discount off a generic medicine listed on the flat rate pricing plan?
No, when presenting your prescription discount card, you will receive either
the pharmacy’s regular price for the prescription medicine or the prescription
discount card discounted price, whichever is lower. If the flat rate price for
select generics is lower than the prescription discount card price, you will pay
the flat rate. With the prescription discount card, you will receive the best price
available for your prescription medicine on that day from that pharmacy.
ABOUT SPECIALTY PHARMACY
What is specialty pharmacy and what kinds of services do they offer?
Specialty pharmacy offers delivery of injectable and select oral specialty medication
and supplies to the location of your choice. Services include delivery notification and
refill reminder calls to help you stay on your treatment plan. You’ll also receive expert
care services including counseling, follow-up care calls, informative disease-related
materials, and access to health experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What drugs are offered through specialty pharmacy?
Medications for a variety of chronic conditions including multiple sclerosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, infertility, immunologic disorders,
Crohn’s disease, Gaucher disease, pulmonary hypertension, Fabry disease,
MPS 1, blood dyscrasia, growth hormone deficiency, respiratory syncytial virus,
hepatitis C and more are available through specialty pharmacy.
Resident Program Announcement
Introducing the [insert county name]
Prescription Discount Card
FREE to County Residents!
Americans are paying more for prescriptions than ever before. Without
prescription coverage, staying healthy can come at a high price. With the
[insert county name] Prescription Discount Card Program provided to you in
a joint effort with the National Association of Counties (NACo), you can
save money on many of your prescription purchases!
Any county resident without prescription coverage can use this program.
Even if you have prescription insurance coverage, you may still benefit from
the discount card since it may save you money on prescriptions your existing
plan does not cover.
Everyone is eligible!
• No income requirements
• No age requirements
• Unlimited use for the whole family
• Pets are covered for medications that also treat human conditions
The [insert county name] Prescription Discount Card Program is:
• Valuable. Save an average of 24% off the pharmacy’s regular price on
all commonly prescribed prescriptions. Savings are also available on
high-tech and injectable medications through our specialty pharmacy.
• Easy. There are no claim forms to fill out and no annual fee to pay.
• Convenient. More than 60,000 participating pharmacies nationwide,
including locations right here in the county!
To print an ID card that can be used immediately at a participating pharmacy,
locate a pharmacy or access other program tools,
visit www.caremark.com/naco, or for more information
call toll-free 1-877-321-2652.
Get your card and start saving today!
Operated by CVS Caremark.
This is NOT insurance. Discounts are only available at participating pharmacies.
Key Contacts
NACo Contacts:
Program template materials are
available at www.naco.org/drugcard.
Select “Counties” to access materials.
Andrew S. Goldschmidt, CAE, MBA
Director, Membership Marketing
Phone: 202-942-4241
E-mail: [email protected]
Smartphone users scan code to access the NACo website.
Ilene Manster
Membership Coordinator
Phone: 202-942-4291
E-mail: [email protected]
CVS Caremark Contact:
Ralph Frissore
Account Advocate
Phone: 480-614-7716
E-mail:
[email protected]
Operated by CVS Caremark.
This is NOT insurance. Discounts are only available at participating pharmacies.
106-9003NC37 04.11