DC Rx Card Media Center

Flu season is officially here, and healthcare providers are warning us of a dreaded “twindemic,” a possible surge of flu infections alongside COVID-19 infections this fall and winter. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, reducing the spread of other respiratory illnesses like the flu is extremely important — and providers are making it easier than ever to get your flu vaccine.

Who should get a flu shot this year?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine each year, with very rare exceptions. The flu shot is especially beneficial for people who have a higher risk of developing complications from the flu. Examples include:

• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Children 5 years old and younger
• People with chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes
• People who have weakened immune systems, like those with cancer or HIV/AIDs and pregnant women
• People who don’t have regular access to healthcare or basic hygiene supplies, like those who are experiencing homelessness

The DCRx Card can help anyone who does not have access to insurance obtain a flu shot for a discounted price. Just present your prescription coupon card to any pharmacist at a major chain at the time of your visit. To download your card, go to www.DCRxCard.com and save it to your phone. You can also print it out at home and take it with you to the pharmacy. Any questions on how the DCRx Card can save you money on all your prescriptions, email Program Director Allan Browder at abrowder@dcrxcard.com.

(Washington) – Residents of The Washington Metropolitan Area will not have to wait on the health care reform bill to pass in order to save money on their prescriptions. A free prescription assistance drug card program called DC Rx Card launched earlier today. The program is open to all residents and will provide instant savings on prescription drugs at most retail pharmacy locations. The Washington Metropolitan Area has more than five (5) million residents that are eligible for this prescription assistance program.

The DC Chamber of Commerce is one of the many supporters of the program. "In the midst of trying economic times, DC Rx Card helps residents throughout The Washington Metropolitan Area looking for new solutions to cut the ever-rising costs of prescription medications," said Barbara Lang, President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce. "The DC Chamber is proud to support a program that is open to everyone and will provide valuable savings."

The Medical Society of the District of Columbia is also working to create awareness for the program. "Far too often the high cost of pharmaceuticals stands in the way of patient compliance for obtaining needed medications," said K. Edward Shanbacker, Executive Vice President of Medical Society of the District of Colombia. "This program will assist patients, especially those without other resources, in achieving optimal health outcomes, and the physician community is pleased to have this resource for their patients."

The DC Rx Card was launched to help uninsured residents afford their prescription medications. However, the program can also be used by people that have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts (HSA) and high deductible health plans. Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs.

Anyone interested in obtaining a free discount prescription drug card can visit www.DCRxCard.com. CVS/Pharmacy was selected to serve as the exclusive preferred pharmacy for the program due to their size and the support they have delivered to similar programs in other parts of the country. CVS/Pharmacy has the ability to process your prescription through DC Rx Card even if you don't have a card.

Roughly 70,000 uninsured District residents now have access to a prescription drug discount card that has no income or age requirement, D.C. officials announced Wednesday.

With the DC Rx card, cardholders can save an average 20 percent on the retail cost of a prescribed medication, proponents say, though the ultimate break will vary. The free card requires no enrollment form and is accepted at 98 percent of all local pharmacies, including CVS and Giant stores.

"This card will be very useful to people with moderate income who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but still can't afford insurance," Mayor Anthony Williams said.

The program is operated through the National Association of Counties and administered by Caremark Rx Inc. It is financed through bulk drug purchases and smaller transactions fees - not taxpayers.

The District joins dozens of U.S. counties, including Montgomery and Prince George's, who already are members of the discount program.

Some 14,000 city residents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but remain without health coverage. The card also can be used by insured residents to save on non-covered medications, or by anyone for prescribed pet drugs.

D.C. Council Member David Catania, chairman of the health committee, said the discount is "really the difference between life and death."

"It's a small step, but it is one ... that will have terrific benefits for everyone," Catania said.

To obtain a card, call the D.C. Pharmaceutical Resource Center hot line at 202-481-1430. For more information, visit doh.dc.gov.