FamilyWize Initiative 
All businesses in the Thurston County area can now call United Way of Thurston County for FREE prescription discount cards for all their employees and families. Pam Toal, Executive Director of United Way of Thurston County, said, “The FamilyWize card reduces the cost of medicine by an average of 35%. It can be used by businesses for employees who have no health insurance, part-time employees, family members who may not be covered, as well as for all employees with health insurance as a backup for medicine that isn’t covered by the plan. Cards can also be used during the deductible period to make medication more affordable.”
The rising cost of gas, materials, and health insurance is making it even more difficult for area businesses to pay for comprehensive health plans for all their employees. While this card doesn’t solve this difficult problem, it does offer some immediate relief.
People save about 8 out of 10 times when they have to buy medicine not covered by insurance. Cards can be used immediately - just present the card and a prescription to one of the 53,000 participating pharmacies and then you will automatically receive whatever the discount is. It’s that easy. There are no applications, fees, waiting period, or age and income requirements. Non-residents can use them, too and no personal information is collected. Even prescription pet medications purchased at a pharmacy are included!
"This program can touch so many people in our community," said Toal. "One out of 3 people have been without health insurance coverage over the last two years. Even more skipped buying medicine or reduced the dosage they needed because of the high cost. The result is more people get sick and stay sick which increases absentee rates in the workplace and schools."
“Our local businesses and their employees are so supportive of United Way and our community,” continued Toal. “With so many businesses and families struggling with the high cost of medicine, we’re thrilled to be able to be able to help them. We hope that every business in our area contacts us for cards for all their employees and their families.”
Faith community organizations and non-profits that work with people in need can receive as many cards as needed. You can also make photocopies of the card next to this article for immediate use or print a card by visiting the website at www.familywize.org/.
"FamilyWize cards that United Ways distribute will save people more than $25 million over the next 12 months on the cost of their medicine," said Dan Barnes, Co-Chair of the FamilyWize Partnership. “We hope everyone in the community will take the time to thank their pharmacist, United Way of Thurston County and everyone else involved for the difference they are making in the lives of so many people in the community. The participating pharmacies have voluntarily agreed to accept FamilyWize cards and provide these savings to people in need. All of our partners are making a real difference, right now, today, in the cost of healthcare and we’re proud to have such reputable and hard working allies in our efforts.”
The FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards are being distributed free of charge by United Way of Thurston County, the FamilyWize Partnership, and over 700 other United Way agencies and Alliance Partners in America’s Promise in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The savings on the cost of medicine is provided voluntarily by the participating pharmacies in our community. Printing for 10 million prescription cards was donated by Brown Printing of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Shipping is donated by Fedex Express.
click here to download and print out a free FamilyWize prescription drug discount card. (pdf)
Additional information about this program is available at http://www.familywize.org/ or by contacting:
United Way of Thurston County
1211 Fourth Ave E, Suite 101
Olympia, WA 98506
360.943.2773 x 15
info@unitedway-thurston.org
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