Mississippi Drug Card Media Center

On March 21st, Ken Gresham, Senior VP Program Development, Mississippi Drug Card, presented a check to Batson Children’s Hospital.  Kathryne Lewis, Events Coordinator, was pleased to receive the check donation in the amount of $3,140.35.

After the presentation, Ken was given a tour of the hospital.  The partnership between Batson Children’s Hospital and Mississippi Drug Card helps create awareness for the Rx savings program and helps raise money for the hospital at the same time.  A donation will be made to Batson Children’s Hospital each time a prescription is processed through Mississippi Drug Card.  We are excited to be a supporter of Batson Children’s Hospital and all the patients they help.

Since 2015, the United Networks of America partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised over $2.4 million dollars for local children’s hospitals. Of this, $3,140.35 has been raised for Batson Children’s Hospital.

ABOUT UNITED NETWORKS OF AMERICA
United Networks of America is one of the largest providers of value added managed care products and services in the United States. Since 1993, United Networks of America has continued to grow its network to more than 240,000 participating providers serving more than 120.1 million members across the United States of America, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. The diverse membership base is a testament to the versatility and value of those networks. United Networks of America clients include TPA’s, insurance companies, associations, universities, federal and state governments, school systems, large employers, among others. Each year, United Networks of America programs continue to receive the highest rankings in the country among value added programs. For more information on United Networks of America please click here

ABOUT BATSON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Batson Children’s Hospital is the flagship of Children’s of Mississippi, part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). As Mississippi’s only children’s hospital, we care for kids from across the state, offering everything from emergency care to highly specialized heart and cancer care for kids. Batson Children’s Hospital treats about 150,000 children each year in more than 30 specialty areas, including newborn medicine, pediatric cardiology, neurology, and surgery. It houses the state’s only pediatric intensive care unit and emergency department along with Mississippi’s only pediatric treatment programs for cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, congenital heart defects, and more.

Time flies when you’re having fun! We celebrated Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis' final official visit to Batson Children’s Hospital at the June Birthday party. As always, there was singing, arts and crafts, tasty treats and lots of smiles.

Thanks to Mississippi Drug Card for sponsoring the party and making all this fun possible. Learn more about how they’re supporting Batson Children’s Hospital at MississippiDrugCard.com.

The Mississippi State Medical Association has begun offering prescription discount cards, promising substantial savings.

The card can help uninsured and under-insured residents afford prescription medications at hundreds of pharmacies across the state, according to the association.

“Helping patients get prescriptions they need is a priority,” association President Claude Brunson, M.D., said in a release.

The card can help those whose health insurance coverage does not include prescription benefits, which is common in many high-deductible plans.

Plus, those who do have prescription coverage can use the program on medications not covered by their plans.

The program says it can save up to 75 percent on a prescription.

“Everyone is encouraged to try to use the card to see if you get a discount. You may. You may not, depending on your current coverage or the prescription, ” said Conner Reeves, general counsel for the association.

“There’s no cost. No membership. Simply print out a card and use it,” Reeves said.

So-called “gap” costs in Medicare Part D are not covered, according to Baton Rouge-based United Networks, which administers the program.

Cards and other information are available at MississippiDrugCard.com or MSMAonline.com.

United Networks is one of the largest providers of value-added managed care products and services in the United States.

A Children's Miracle Network Hospitals ad was featured in Pharmacy Times (May 2016 Issue). A donation will be made to your local Children's Miracle Network Hospital each time a prescription is processed through the Rx Assistance Program.

Pharmacy Times (May 2016)

(Jackson, MS) – RxResource.org announced that the Mississippi Drug Card has been voted “The Best Prescription Assistance Program in Mississippi for 2011”. Programs were rated by industry professionals across the following categories: Program Access, Program Benefits, Customer Support, Prescription Formulary List, Drug Discounts, and Network Coverage. Mississippi Drug Card was launched December 15, 2007 and has saved Mississippians more than $6.3 million on their prescription drugs.

The Mississippi Drug Card marked a milestone Dec. 15 as it celebrated its fifth year of offering savings on prescription drugs. The same formula used to net $9 million in discounts for the state will continue to be plugged in for the program's continuing success.

"Although we've remained true to our grassroots approach through the years, we still try to evolve with the times. We've added a smart phone Free Rx iCard app. And we're available on Twitter and Facebook to connect with people and keep them more informed with our program," said program director Lila Cedotal.

The Mississippi Drug Card has recently partnered with the Mississippi Rural Health Association to create awareness and help every Mississippian obtain a discount drug card. Mississippi Drug Card continues to educate clinics, hospitals and doctors' offices throughout the state about the program.

The card is accepted at 56,000 regional and national pharmacies and there is no limit as to how many times it is used.

"There really is no reason why people shouldn't have one of these cards. Of course, they're great for people without insurance coverage, but it's also good for those with high deductibles or medications not covered with their plans,"Cedotal said.

With the onslaught of ObamaCare, Cedotal said the program will be mindful of new policies and help Mississippians the best as they can.

"We've heard so many stories throughout the years from individuals and families that we're the difference between how many times a week they can put meat on the table or how many medications they can afford. It's so fulfilling to know we're making a difference," Cedotal said. People can download a free card, search drug pricing and locate participating pharmacies by visiting www.mississippidrugcard.com. Residents with no internet access can visit any CVS/Pharmacy, Fred's or Kmart pharmacy locations and ask the pharmacist to process their prescription through the Mississippi Drug Card.

Mississippi Drug Card interview showing the Benefit of free of charge Prescription discount program to Mississippi residents.

(Aberdeen) – With its fourth anniversary on Dec. 12, the Mississippi Drug Card program continues to strive to reach the masses by its guarantee to provide discounted prescriptions and less expensive medications. To date, it has saved Mississippians $6 million on medications.

"My main goal is to create awareness of the program. We're all well aware of the number of people in need during the down economy. We're trying to put this program in the hands of those in need especially," said Lila Cedotal, program director of the Mississippi Drug Card.

The Mississippi Drug Card is accepted at more than 50,000 pharmacies across the nation and has no limit as to how many times it is used. Through this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant program funded by pharmaceutical companies, people can receive as much as 75 percent off prescriptions.

It's useful for everyone, including those with high insurance deductibles and no health insurance. The program applies to almost all brand name and generic drugs.

"With flu season upon us, it's reassuring that the drug card can help save people money on Tamiflu, which isn't generally covered by most medical insurance. Several other medications such as those dealing with anxiety and behavioral issues are even covered with the card," Cedotal said.

To obtain the card, people can simply go to www.mississippidrugcard.com and fill out a query with their first and last name and the option email field.

CVS Pharmacy, K-Mart and Fred's are all preferred pharmacies that further benefit people by processing the information and filling the prescription on-site for those without Internet access.

In addition to the grassroots movement of making cards available at medical clinics and pharmacies across the state, the program has conformed more to the digital age in the past year to make itself more accessible to the public as well.

"We've got a Facebook page, a Twitter account and an iPhone app now to make people more familiar with the program and give them more information about prescription price comparisons and medical trends in addition to a chance to give us feedback. We also post other useful information like motivational quotes and healthy recipes," Cedotal said.

The iPhone app can be found by searching for Free Rx Card; it can be personalized for Mississippi.

"We've come a long way in these four years and I couldn't be happier with the progress. I want it to continue to grow and partner with organizations in Mississippi as well as further increase our efforts across the state," Cedotal said.

(South Mississippi) – A program started 4 years ago is helping Mississippi residents save at the pharmacy.

The Mississippi Drug Card is a free program which helps state residents save money on their prescriptions.

Since the program's inception it has helped Mississippi residents save over $6 million! There are no enrolment requirements and everyone is eligible! Mississippi Drug Card is great for patients with no coverage and also for patients that need a non-covered drug or have a high-deductible insurance plan.

Patients can go to the website, www.mississippidrugcard.com and print a free card in less than a minute. The cards are pre-activated and ready to use. Anyone not able to print a card can simply visit and CVS, Fred's or Kmart pharmacy to have their prescription processed through the program. The card is accepted at all major pharmacies as well as most independents. We also have a cool new iPhone app, Free Rx iCard, that makes it even easier to save. Everyone should check us out on twitter and facebook as well! We have useful and fun new content daily!

(Jackson, MS) – According to the Mississippi Drug Card Program (MDC), more than 29,074 Mississippians have received a free prescription drug card since the MDC launched December 12, 2007.

The program's Web site (www.mississippidrugcard.com) has had more than 439,630 hits in that time. Members have processed 22,348 prescriptions saving an average of 30% off their medications.

"The public response to this program has been overwhelming," says MDC director Lila Cedotal. "With total savings already over $360,000, this program is a true testament to the people of Mississippi needing help with their medication costs."

MDC is a free prescription drug benefit that helps consumers to access prescriptions they need at the lowest available cost. This non-profit program was launched to help the uninsured and under-insured people of Mississippi afford their prescription medications.

However, the program can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits. Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs. The MDC can also be used by those individuals who do not qualify for public funded programs and by people who receive their medicines through charity care providers and require a drug that is not available to them. This program even covers some pet medications.

The Mississippi Drug Card program has no restrictions or participation requirements and the program is open to every resident of Mississippi.

(Aberdeen, MS) – As part of the July events for Aberdeen's 175th birthday celebration, the town will welcome a movie keeping true to its origins and host a free concert downtown.

The Elkin Theatre will screen the Disney-Pixar animated film "Brave" Friday and Saturday night about a Scottish princess who defies custom while etching out her own path, which brings chaos on her kingdom. Following the fiasco, she must depend on her bravery and archery skills to undo the curse.

"With the movie's music and folklore, it ties in with our heritage. It's coincidental but perfect the Elkin is showing it the same weekend as our concert," said Tina Robbins, director of the Aberdeen Visitor Bureau.

Saturday's festivities include a downtown sidewalk sale during regular business hours; lunch available from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at LeRoux and Penny Lane's Java Cafe; vendors; and live music in the parking lot behind the Elkin Theatre.

"It's going to be a little something for everybody. Whether you're a music fan or not, you still have a chance to support local businesses with the sidewalk sale while enjoying Mississippi's sales tax holiday," said Carla Arevalo, 175th anniversary committee member.

Available vendors include Southern Chicks T-Shirts, jerseys and caps, sunglasses, mesh wreaths by Meg Evans, home decor by Christi Dubois, wood and metal art, Mississippi Drug Card and Community Hospice information booths, funnel cakes, snow cones, full service food truck, barbecue.

Aberdeen 175th anniversary T-shirts will also be available.

The music line-up includes the Juke Joint Gypsies from 1 until 2:30 p.m.; the Mark Chandler Band from 3 until 4:30 p.m.; Elizabeth Brahan and the Tennessee Line from 5 until 6:30 p.m.; and Arcadia from 7 until 9 p.m. Ambrose Gardner will begin the ceremonies by singing the National Anthem at 1 p.m. followed by a few words from Mayor Cecil Belle and a prayer by the Rev. Benny Coleman.

The Mississippi Drug Card was the first of its kind introduced to the state nearly five years ago. The free card providing discounted prescriptions and less expensive medications has provided millions of dollars of savings since its inception.

"Whenever other companies see you're doing well, they try to duplicate your service. We've found there are several impostor programs that have recently sprung up selling people's information to mail order companies. We're a pharmacy-friendly program that wants to support local pharmacies," said Lila Cedotal, program director of the Mississippi Drug Card.

The Mississippi Drug Card is accepted at more than 50,000 pharmacies across the nation and has no limit as to how many time it's used. To obtain the card, people can visit www.mississippidrugcard.com and fill out a query with their first and last name and the optional email field.

For those without access to the internet, preferred pharmacies that can process patients' information and fill the prescription in-house include CVS Pharmacy, Fred's and K-Mart.

"We want to help provide patients with a means of frequenting local pharmacies and because we have the biggest network, we can offer the deepest discounts," Cedotal said.

With the impending flu season nearing, the Mississippi Drug Card can offer as much as 43 percent of savings on Tamiflu among other medications such as Doxycycline, Ciproflaxin, Azithromycin and Sulfa/Tmz versus the retail cost.

While last year's flu season was mild, officials are anticipating an unpredictable season this year.

(Jackson, MS) – Mississippi residents have saved over $9 million on prescription drugs through Mississippi Drug Card since the launch of the free statewide prescription assistance program on December 15, 2007. The program helps the uninsured as well as patients with high-deductible plans and those in need of non-covered medications.

Mississippi Drug Card has recently partnered with the Mississippi Rural Health Association to create awareness and help every Mississippian obtain a discount drug card. Mississippi Drug Card continues to educate clinics, hospitals, and doctor's offices throughout the state about the program.

Every Mississippi resident is eligible to participate in the Mississippi Drug Card program; there are no restrictions to membership and no applications to fill out. The card is accepted at over 56,000 regional and national pharmacies. Residents can download a free card, search drug pricing and locate participating pharmacies by visiting www.mississippidrugcard.com. Residents with no internet access can visit any CVS/Pharmacy, FRED'S or Kmart pharmacy location and ask the pharmacist to process their prescription through the Mississippi Drug Card. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and through our Free Rx iCard app.

For more information, press only:
Lila C Cedotal
Program Director
lila@mississippidrugcard.com

RIDGELAND – Patients who need help with the cost of prescription medications can now get a free prescription assistance card made available by the state’s largest association of physicians.

The Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) today announced plans to distribute the Mississippi Drug Card, a discount drug card free to all Mississippi residents. The discount card generates savings of up to 75 percent on prescription drugs at hundreds of participating pharmacies statewide.

The discount card helps uninsured and under-insured residents afford prescription medications, which has already saved Mississippians over 20 million since inception. “MSMA physicians are committed to our patients and helping patients get the medications they need is a priority. Patients can’t get well if they can’t get their prescriptions.” said MSMA President Dr. Claude Brunson, “That’s why we are making the Mississippi Drug Card available from our member physicians.” He added that any patient can print a free prescription assistance card from the association website.

The Mississippi Drug Card discounts are available to patients whose health insurance coverage does not include prescription benefits, which is common in many high deductible health plans. Those who do have prescription coverage with their health insurance can use this program to get discounts on medications that are not covered by their insurance plan. All Mississippians are eligible regardless their current prescription coverage benefits.

Mississippi residents can create a free card, search drug pricing, and locate participating pharmacies at www.MississippiDrugCard.com or www.MSMAonline.com.