City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss the report on the National League of
Cities Prescription Discount Card Program and authorize the City’s participation in
such program if desired.
BACKGROUND
In November 2008, the National League of Cities (“NLC”) announced a new member
program designed to save residents money on the cost of prescription drugs.
The NLC Prescription Discount Card Program (“Program”) enables a participating
member city the ability to assist residents who are without health insurance, a
traditional pharmacy benefit plan, or have prescriptions that are not covered by
insurance, with a cost savings on prescription medication. While savings will vary on
each prescription, this program can provide residents an average of 20 percent off
the full retail cost of prescription medication.
DISCUSSION
Should the City Council determine to participate in the Program, the City would
partner with NLC to bring this Program to Culver City residents. The Program is
administered by CVS Caremark and includes nearly 60,000 participating pharmacies
nationwide, including all major chains and most local pharmacies.
Meeting Date: 05/11/09 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion and Authorization to Participate in the National
League of Cities Prescription Discount Card Program, if Desired
Contact Person/Dept.: Serena Wright Phone Number: 310-253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [x] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [x] Attachments: [x]
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (05/06/09)
Department Approval:
Serena Wright (05/05/09)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/06/09)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (05/05/09)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (05/06/09) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Residents will be able to pick up a prescription discount card from designated City
facilities, public counters, or print a replacement card from the CVS Caremark
website. There is no registration form to complete and the card is free to all
residents, regardless of age, income or existing health insurance.
The prescription discount card cannot be used on over-the-counter medications or
non-prescription medications. However, discounts are available for many diabetic
supplies. In addition, the discount card cannot be used in conjunction with other
insurance to further reduce prescription medication costs. The card may only be
used to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by existing health insurance.
The anticipated start date for this program is June 1, 2009. Should the Council
determine the City should participate in the Program, publicity would be available
over the coming weeks via a marketing campaign to be launched via the City’s
website, with signage posted at City facilities and in local newspapers.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There will be minimal fiscal impact associated with advertising for this program, and
the costs will be absorbed within current budget appropriations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Prescription Discount Card Program Promotional Material
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Discuss the National League of Cities Prescription Discount Drug Program;
and,
2A. Determine the City should participate in the Program
OR
2B. Take no action (in which case the City would not participate in the
Program).
MEETING DATE: 5/11/09
AGENDA ITEM: NLC Prescription Discount Card Program
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
I. Prescription Discount Card Program Promotional Material 1 —4385631. CulverCrLyCh Pasitsr.pcir -1/211/09 1.2.02.P
National League of Cities
LOWER THE COST OF YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS.
Start Saving Today with the
eateA CITY
City of Culver City
Prescription Discount Card
The prescription discount card is easy to use and can be used anytime your
prescription is not covered by insurance.
The program includes:
• Average savings of 20%
• FREE enrollment
• Coverage for ALL family members
• No limit on how many times you use the card
• No age requirements
• Na income requirements
• Easy access, nine out of 10 pharmacies nationwide participate in the program
• Pet medications that are also used to treat a human condition are covered
This program is provided for you by the
City of Culver City
through collaboration with the National League of Cities.
For more information call toll-free 1-888-620-1749 or visit v‘vvi.v.caremark.cominIc.
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This is not insurance.
Free Prescription Discount Card
Start saving on prescriptions today!
Easy Access
Td hisicsr ls t ccriLtion
brought to you by your city government in
collaboration with the National League of
Cities. By using this card you have access to
nine out of 10 participating pharmacies
across the country, including many in your
city, to save an average of 20% off the regular
retail price of prescription drugs.
No Restrictions
You and
your family
may use your discount card anytime your
prescription is not covered by insurance. There
are no restrictions and no limits on how many
times you may use your card.
Extra Savings A
th si s pp a r ro t gofram
you will also be eligible for higher discounts
on select medications. To get program
information, locate a pharmacy, look up
a drug price, or access health resources
visit www.caremark.conninic, or call
toll-free 1-888-620-1749.
Accepted by all major pharmacy chains nationwide!CVS
CAREMAW
Participant: Call toll-free 1-888-620-1749. This card
is accepted by nine out of 10 pharmacies nationwide.
Participante: Uame sin cargos al 1-888-620-1749.
Esta tarjeta se acepta en nueve de cada diez farmacia
participantes en la nacion.
Pharmacist: The RxPCN, RxGRP, full participant ID
and a 01 person code must be submitted online to
process claims for this program. For information, call
toll-free 1-800-364-6331.
To locate the nearest participating pharmacy,
please call Customer Care toll-free at
1-888-620-1749 or visit
www.caremark.cominic.
Para obtener m5s informacion y para localizar
la farmacia participante mas cercana,
Ilame a Servicio al Cliente, sin cargos al
1-888-620-1749, o visite
www.caremark.cominic.
The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest
national organization devoted to strengthening and
promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership
and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for
19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more
than 218 million Americans.
This is not insurance. Discounts are only available
at participating pharmacies.
By using this card, you agree to pay the entire
prescription cost less any applicable discount.
Savings may vary by drug and by pharmacy. Savings
are based on actual 2007 drug purchases for all drug
discount card programs administered by Caremark.
The program administrator may obtain fees or rebates
from manufacturers and/or pharmacies based on your
prescription drug purchases.These fees or rebates may
be retained by the program administrator or shared
with you and/or your pharmacy.
Prescription claims through this program will not be
eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid, Medicare
or any other government program.
©2008 Caremark. All rights reserved.
106-15094aNLC 11/08National League of Cities (NLC)
Prescription Discount Card
Media Fact Sheet
What the Prescription Discount Card is:
The NLC prescription discount card is designed to help residents save money on
prescriptions that are not covered by insurance. The program is offered in collaboration
with the National League of Cities through their member cities. The program is not
insurance.
Who it is for:
The card is offered to all city residents, there are no age or income restrictions. There
are no restrictions and no limits on how many times individuals can use the card. One
card can be used by all family members.
Savings:
While savings may vary by drug and by pharmacy, the NLC prescription discount card
program provides average savings of 20%. Residents will pay the negotiated discount
price offered through the program or the pharmacy's retail price whichever is lower.
What the program costs:
The card is FREE. There is no cost to the city or to the residents to use the card. There
are no enrollment fees and no membership fees. Residents just pay the prescription cost
less any applicable discounts.
How residents access the program:
There is no waiting period. City residents simply present their card at a participating
pharmacy. More than 59,000 pharmacies nationwide participate in the program,
including the major chains as well as many independent pharmacies.
Additional features:
A dedicated toll-free number is provided for resident's to access CVS Caremark's award
winning customer care and a program Web site is available for residents to access
program tools and information.
About CVS Caremark
The NLC prescription discount card is administered by CVS Caremark the largest
provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the nation. CVS Caremark
has administered prescription discount programs since 1992.
This is not insurance. Savings are only available at participating pharmacies. Savings may vary
by drug and by pharmacy. By using this card, residents agree to pay the entire prescription cost
less any applicable discount.
A