Prescription Benefits Added to Touchstone Energy® Co-op Connections Card Program

Several years ago, South Kentucky RECC began a new program, the Touchstone Energy® Co-op Connections Card program, to help our members save money when they dined out, made purchases, or stayed in hotels. The savings were not just local; rather, SKRECC joined with co-ops all over the nation, making discounts available across the country.

While this has been a successful program, South Kentucky RECC is pleased to announce that it has taken it to a new level.

We all know about the rising costs associated with healthcare, particularly the cost of prescription drugs. Through a partnership with New Benefits, a nationally recognized provider of non-insured healthcare benefits, South Kentucky RECC members can now receive a 10 to 60 percent savings on many prescriptions by using the new Co-op Connections Pharmacy Discount Card. The pharmacy discount program is NOT insurance and cannot be used in conjunction with insurance.

However, for South Kentucky RECC members who may not have insurance or insurance that includes prescription benefits, this could offer significant savings.

How does the program work?

As in the past, the card can still be used for discounts with participating area and national businesses; however, in order to participate in the Co-op Connections Card pharmacy discount program, you must get a new South Kentucky RECC Co-op Connections Card that has the pharmacy program codes and information printed on the back of it. It will have the Group #, Member #, Bin #, and PCN # on the back, as shown in the photo on the preceding page. The cards are available at all SKRECC local offices and will be available at the annual meeting on June 5.

Once you have a card, simply present it at a participating pharmacy with your prescription and receive a discount at the time of purchase. There are no forms to fill out, no limit to the number of times the card can be used, and one card can be used by the entire family.

For example, SKRECC Corporate Communications Coordinator Joy Bullock presented her card at a local participating pharmacy along with her prescription. The medication would have cost $126.99 without insurance and without the Co-op Connections Card. With the card, the medication’s cost was $100.14, a 21 percent savings.

These types of savings are available at over 48,000 independent pharmacies and national chains, including CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and Target, among others.

Ruby Patterson, South Kentucky RECC vice president of member services and public relations, says members should ask about the pharmacy discount at their local pharmacy.

“We are very pleased to offer this new feature of the Co-op Connections Card. We encourage our members to ask at their pharmacy if there would be a savings on their specific prescriptions when using the new card.”

Why is South Kentucky RECC offering the discount pharmacy program?

In 1999, South Kentucky RECC’s board of directors unanimously approved a new mission statement for the co-op that says: “South Kentucky RECC was formed for people, not profit. Its mission is to reliably provide electricity and related services to its members at a competitive price, and to improve the quality of life in their communities.”

Patterson says the addition of a pharmacy discount is another way the co-op can help improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.

“The Co-op Connections Pharmacy Card is a valuable tool that reinforces our mission statement and our longstanding commitment to our communities. It adds value for our members and can provide assistance in an area in which many may struggle – medication costs. Simply put, the Co-op Connections Card program is just one more way our members benefit from being part of South Kentucky RECC.”

Where can members get information about participating pharmacies?

For information on providers, call 1-800-800-7616 for Member Services if you have questions or need a provider. You can also get information online at www.locateproviders.com and use code 22203 as the group number to search for providers by zip code.

Finally, to receive drug pricing information, log onto www.rxpricequotes.com to search by drug and zip code. You will need to know your prescription strength and the length of your prescription.