Do You Use Your Golden Buckeye Card?

Are you 60 or over and live in Ohio? If so, do you use your Golden Buckeye Card?

This card can save you hundreds of dollars when you purchase goods and services throughout the Miami Valley.

The card is good for any Ohio resident 60 and older. It also is available to any resident who is totally or permanently disabled as determined by the Social Security Administration.

The deals vary by region, and are based on a voluntary partnership with the businesses involved. To find what deals are available in the your area or an area you will be visiting, you can search by county and city on the Web site.

Example : The “Dayton” selection contains Dayton as well as neighboring areas.

The average discount is about 10 percent off a product or service - but some merchants give even greater discounts. There is no fee for cardholders or businesses for the card. Merchants of all types (restaurants, retail, auto care, medical and more) from all over the state voluntarily offer special savings or deals for older Ohioans who carry the Golden Buckeye card. They receive no compensation from the state of Ohio for their participation and, instead, do so as a way of attracting a loyal customer base while thanking our older citizens who have reached the milestone of 60 and over for making Ohio a great place to live. Please repay their kindness with your patronage (and save some money in the process).

It applies to everything from international chains to mom and pops corner stores, a little of everything - did you know you can even get a small soft drink at McDonald's for just 39 cents?

Some discounts have stipulations, or say that the card is not to be used with other coupons, but most are just straight-forward cash off.

Prescription Drug Savings - The Golden Buckeye card now includes the Ohio's Best Rx prescription drug discount program. Best Rx lowers the cost of prescriptions for Ohio residents who do not have drug insurance coverage for all drugs. Savings average 30-40 percent on prescriptions at more than 2,300 participating pharmacies. Any Ohio resident age 60 or older is eligible, regardless of income, and you can access the program immediately using your existing Golden Buckeye card. Call toll-free 1-866-923-7879 or visit www.ohiobestrx.org for more information, to look up drug prices, to find participating pharmacies and more. This card is good at multiple pharmacies, from big chains to small independents. Ohio's Best Rx participants will always pay the lower of the calculated Ohio Best Rx price or the Pharmacy's Usual and Customary price. Prices are based on a 30-day supply for retail and a 90 day supply for mail order.

The Golden Buckeye Card, which was introduced in 1976, is the first and oldest senior discount card of its kind in the country. Click on the link below -

http://www.aging.ohio.gov/GoldenBuckeye/locator1.asp

Step One: Select a County

To locate businesses in your area that accept the Golden Buckeye Card, start by selecting a county, then click "Next".

Choose a County:

While they've made considerable effort to verify the information provided in the Golden Buckeye Business Finder, the Department of Aging and the Golden Buckeye Program offer no guarantees as to its accuracy, nor do they necessarily endorse the businesses, services and products listed.

How to Get a Card - Ohio residents who hold current Ohio Driver Licenses or State ID cards automatically receive a Golden Buckeye card in the month of their 60th birthday. Individuals who do not have a current license or State ID, as well as people under age 60 who are eligible due to disability, or who otherwise do not receive their card automatically, may apply for a card at most public libraries and senior centers. Due to ID, age and disability (when appropriate) verification requirements, you cannot apply for a Golden Buckeye Card online or by phone.

How to Get a Replacement Card - If your Golden Buckeye Card has been lost, stolen or damaged, call 1-866-301-6446 to request a replacement.

NOT YET COVERED BY MEDICARE?

Many drug manufacturers have their own prescription discount programs, known as Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), that provide drugs at no or very low cost to patients who meet their eligibility requirements. PAPs generally have lower income limitations than Ohio’s Best Rx and require frequent renewal of applications, but they can be a great source of additional assistance for people who qualify for them.

The pharmaceutical industry operates a national clearinghouse, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which links patients to information about more than 475 public and private programs, including nearly 200 offered by pharmaceutical companies.

Some Ohio counties provide a free resource that assists with researching and applying for these PAPs. Please click here to view some of these programs.

Your local county commissioner may be aware of other local programs providing this type of assistance.

Please Note: With the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program in place some PAPs will not accept applications from those eligible for Medicare. Please contact Partnership for Prescription Assistance or the individual PAP to investigate.

Calling to talk to someone about the prescription assistance program

Clients should have prescriptions in front of them when they call. Rx for Ohio will direct them to different prescription programs depending on what medications they need.

Number:(877) 794-644

Website Address:www.pparx.org

Hours:Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.