Private Company Running Drug Card Program

The secrets behind a card that promises to save Oklahomans big bucks at the pharmacy. OklahomaDrugCard.com claims to be an innovative solution for those without prescription coverage. News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports all anyone has to do is long onto a website and print out a card. It sounds and looks like a state-run program. But, it is not.

A for-profit company is behind the website. They make money by sending people to participating pharmacies. Even so, the program can be a win-win for some consumers.

Mike McGee is a cancer survivor and currently has no health insurance. Buying the prescriptions he needs is expensive.

"You know its beans on the table. You know or your medication and they're both important," said Mike McGee.

When he heard about the Oklahoma Drug Card, he says he was excited to see if it could save him money. He met with a pharmacist who took some information and entered it into the OklahomaDrugCard.com website and printed out his card. On one prescription, McGee will save $12.

"Anytime I can save a dollar on my prescription. You know, a dollar's a dollar and I think it's a great thing they have," said Mike McGee.

But according to the pharmacist, $12 is more of a discount than most people are receiving.

A pretty good example of the kind of money people are saving with the card is with this bottle of generic muscle relaxers. With this customer's regular insurance this bottle of pills would have cost about $28. With the card, it cost them $24.95 for a savings of roughly $3.

"I think it's a good thing just to check out and see," said pharmacist Lenny Utz.

Check out and see because the Oklahoma Drug Card will not help everyone. If you have health insurance, the price you already get is usually going to be cheaper than the price of your drugs with the card. Plus, it appears, some drugs are just not discounted. The bottom line: if you don't have insurance or have gaps in your coverage, it can't hurt to give it a try.

"It's just going to be one of those plans, since its free and it doesn't cost you anything, just say hey run it through on this and see if it saves me any money," said pharmacist Lenny Utz.

Anyone can participate by going to the website, filling out both boxes and printing out two cards. Take the cards to your pharmacist, but remember you may get a discount or you may not.