GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. - (Business Wire) HealthTrans, a pharmacy benefit administrator, and its partner Epana, a provider of low-cost pre-paid telephone card services, has introduced a free discount drug card tailored to help uninsured and underinsured Hispanics. The HealthTrans Access program (Acceso HealthTrans) provides prescription drug discounts to Epana
’s Club Bienestar and Mi Carnal calling card members, allowing for 10-70 percent savings on generic and brand name medications at more than 50,000 pharmacies.
The card benefits a crucial market, as about 36 percent of Hispanics are uninsured nationwide, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. The discount program currently is being tested in Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas and Reno. Atlanta was chosen to be among the test markets because 53 percent of Georgia’s Hispanic population is uninsured based on the Kaiser report. In Illinois, 30 percent are uninsured and in Nevada 35 percent are uninsured.
“HealthTrans recognizes there is a critical need among the nation’s Hispanic community for better access to prescription drugs because a large percentage have no insurance,” said Michael Oshins, senior vice president of consumer directed programs. “Of the ethnic groups surveyed by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Hispanics reported the highest percentage of uninsured. Also, there are many common disease states among this population, such as diabetes, that would greatly benefit from medication therapies.”
The discount drug card program is free, requires no paperwork, does not exclude those with pre-existing conditions and can be used by the entire family. Individuals who wish to obtain a card and do not have a Club Bienestar or Mi Carnal calling card can enroll by calling 866.631.2582 or visiting www.clubbienestar.com.
“We believe this program will help improve the health of a population that often goes without needed care because they have no health insurance, or their insurance does not have a drug benefit,” added Oshins. “Many of the uninsured are children whose parents are employed, but have little or no health coverage.”
Oshins adds that nationally, the U.S Census Bureau estimates 39 percent of Hispanic children are uninsured. He further explained that Epana represents strong and trusted brands in the Hispanic market, which will make the discount drug card highly visible to those with the greatest need.
In addition to providing the discount drug program, HealthTrans also is collaborating with Epana to provide educational materials that will increase awareness among the Hispanic population about common health issues. “Our focus is on providing access to needed medications that in turn will help improve the overall wellness of a vulnerable population,” concluded Oshins.
About HealthTrans Access
The Epana Pharmacy Discount Program is offered through HealthTrans® Access, a provider of healthcare products and services to those without insurance and to those who need to augment existing insurance benefits. Pharmacy discounts for generic and brand name drugs are available through HealthTrans Access' network of more than 50,000 local pharmacies nationwide. HealthTrans Access, based in Greenwood Village, Colo., is a business unit of HealthTrans LLC, a national, full service pharmacy benefits administrator. To learn more about HealthTrans Access discount healthcare cards, go to http://www.pathtobettercare.com.
Catalyst Communications
Mary Ann McCauley, ABC, 952-401-1983
mam@catalystcomm.net
