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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 338-S1211 with Envision Medical Solutions, Inc. for the administration of a prescription drug savings program for County residents for a term of three (3) years upon execution, with the option to extend for additional one (1) year periods thereafter. There is no remuneration between the parties of the Agreement.
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Background: On November 1, 2011 (Item 17, Legistar file 11-1159) the Board directed staff to work with Envision Medical Services, Inc. (Envision), a pharmacy benefits manager with offices in El Dorado Hills, to develop a turn-key program prescription drug savings program for residents of El Dorado County.
Reason for Recommendation: Envision is offering the "El Dorado Best Rx Savings Program" available free to all county residents. The program provides savings up to 75% off generic medications, with overall average savings more than 40% across brand and generic medications combined. Residents may participate in the program by obtaining an El Dorado Best Rx Savings Card. Cards will be made available at various public locations throughout the County as well as online or by telephone request.
There are no waiting periods to receive the El Dorado Best Rx Savings Card, no pre-existing condition restrictions, no membership fees and the card instantly activates. More than 60,000 pharmacies are participating nationwide. If the pharmacy's usual and customary price is lower than the El Dorado Best Rx Savings Card price, the resident will pay the lower price. If a resident learns a pharmacy is not enrolled in the program, it can be enrolled quickly, so they are able to immediately take advantage of the discount.
A 24-hour pharmacy helpline is available to assist with questions from the participant or to aid in pharmacy enrollment. The El Dorado Best Rx Savings Card website provides an easy-to-use pharmacy locator tool, as well as a drug pricing index that aids participants in finding the low-cost pharmacy in their neighborhood zip code.
Envision provides the following:
Comprehensive implementation plan
Creation of customized website Development and distribution of tear-away Rx Savings Card brochures Development and distribution of posters
Community outreach marketing
Setup of digital Rx Savings Card
Press release support
County responsibilities include:
Approval of awareness campaigns (website, brochures, posters)
Initial and periodic press releases to communicate the availability of the program in the community
No tax dollars are used to make the El Dorado Best Rx Savings Card available. A public-private partnership between El Dorado County and Envision makes the discounts possible. Envision is a pharmacy benefits manager that secures volume discounts on prescription drugs, passing savings on to consumers. Participating pharmacies must agree to the negotiated prices.
The County Health Plan Advisory Committee (HPAC) did receive information on El Dorado Best RX Savings Card at their December 8, 2011 meeting and supported the use of the card by County employees when appropriate.
Health and Human Services Agency Director Daniel Nielson has reviewed the program and will provide referrals to this program to the Agency's clients.
Staff is recommending at the Board of Supervisors authorize the Board Chair to sign the attached Agreement.