Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces New Resource to Help Missourians Find the Lowest Price for Their Prescription Medicine
JEFFERSON CITY–Governor Matt Blunt today announced that Missourians now have a reliable, Internet resource to help them find local pharmacies that offer the lowest prices on the prescription drugs they need. The program, called Price Compare, is a key component of the Missouri Rx (MoRx) program and available for all Missourians to use at www.morxcompare.mo.gov.
“This resource will help hold down the cost of prescription drugs for Missourians by making it easier for people to compare prices for the medicine they need to stay healthy,” Blunt said. “It also demonstrates how we can use technology and transparency to improve our health care system for Missourians. I’ve been pleased to work on this initiative with Lt. Governor Kinder who is serving Missouri well as the state’s official senior advocate.”
MoRx offers a supplemental wrap-around benefit to the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. Price Compare is another tool to help seniors manage the ‘donut hole’ left by Part D Prescription Drug Plans. The Internet site will be a valuable tool for Missouri consumers and third party payers.
“Price Compare’s user-friendly website will enable Missourians to better manage their budgets with easy to read cost comparisons, as well as fostering increased competition,” Kinder said. “Everyone wins with this new program.”
“We want to put the people back in the driver's seat when it comes to options and decisions on their health and the health of their families,” said President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, who sponsored legislation in the Senate to establish the Internet site. “People have a right to know about the quality and cost of their healthcare and this website is a step that empowers them to choose their own options.”
Those visiting the Internet site, managed by the Department of Social Services, are asked to enter the name of their prescription medication, dosage amount and the county where they live. Once the information is entered, pharmacy names and prescription costs are listed. Consumers are then able to use that information to find the best price at the nearest pharmacy.
Price Compare, a result of the General Assembly’s commitment to increase transparency in healthcare costs, will empower consumers to be better healthcare purchasers.
Price Compare is a service provided through the Division of Medical Services contractor, ACS Heritage, which bills approximately 10 million prescriptions to the state’s Medicaid program each year.
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