Starting Jan. 29, locals will be able to go to one of three locations in the city and ask for the prescription discount card, which is designed to help cover the cost of prescriptions that are not covered by private insurance or Medicare. They could save as much as 23 percent.

"I'm really glad to see our city do this because some of our seniors don't have prescription drug coverage," Coconut Creek Commissioner Becky Tooley said. "They have to choose between food and medication, and I'm just really happy that, in these economic times, we can do this."

The program is run by the National League of Cities through CVS Caremark, and more than 60,000 locations nationwide accept the discount card.
 
"Thirteen drug stores are participating in Coconut Creek," said Theresa Smalling, assistant director of Human Resources for the city. "It is a nationwide program. So, even if you're not in Coconut Creek and you need a prescription filled, and it's not under your insurance, as long as you have your card you'll be able to use it."

Residents can't use the card along with prescription insurance or Medicare, she said. It can only be used if the prescription is not covered and the resident would have to pay out of pocket. She said it's also important for residents to understand that the program is not a replacement for medical insurance.

"If [the resident] already has insurance, [he] just has to make sure the insurance company doesn't cover that prescription in any way," Smalling said. "Medicare covers a lot of prescriptions, so when they take the card to the pharmacy, the pharmacy will see if Medicare covers it. If Medicare covers it, they can't use the discount program."

Discount cards can be picked up at City Hall, the Community Center and the Recreation Complex.

"I think this is a very positive program that is not going to cost the city to participle other than the minimal expense to promote it," Coconut Creek Commissioner Lisa Aronson said to her fellow commissioners. "It's going to save residents money."