The FamilyWize card is a free card that can be used by people who do not have health insurance or for medicines that are not covered by their insurance plan. This card can lower the cost of prescription medicines by an average of 30 percent, and is available to everyone in the community. There are no age restrictions, income restrictions or limit on how many times a single card may be used.

In January 2011 alone, FamilyWize cards saved its customers in Miami-Dade $57,607, and were used a total of 3,457 times; both of these amounts are record highs for the program. Nationally, more than 1,000 United Ways in all 50 states are participating in the program and implementing the use of FamilyWize cards in their communities.

“We are very proud of what the United Way/FamilyWize partnership has achieved in Miami-Dade,” Harve Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. The partnership provides a two-fold benefit; it has an economic benefit, in that
it saves people money and it provides health benefits, because it helps people obtain the medication they need to stay healthy.”

Participating pharmacies have agreed voluntarily to accept the FamilyWize cards and provide these savings. Some of the local Miami-Dade pharmacies as well as national pharmacies accepting the cards include: Walgreens, K-mart, COSTCO, Publix, Target, Wal-Mart and Winn Dixie, among others. To print a card, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org or request a card by calling United Way at 305-646-7086. Local businesses and employers can also get cards in bulk. For a full list of participating pharmacies, to look up drug prices visit www.FamilyWize.org.

Sponsors include Brown Printing, Independent Graphics and Rob-Win Press of greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania; Sappi Fine Paper; FedEx Express; and the pharmacy benefit manager provides a portion of the processing fee to cover the administrative costs. United Way coordinates the distribution of the cards locally.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE
United Way is working to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. We are focused on improving education, income and health – the building blocks for a good life. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. We invite you to join us in this work and LIVE UNITED.

ABOUT THE FAMILYIZE PARTNERSHIP

The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership was established in the fall of 2005, in response to large amounts of families with difficulties purchasing medicine they needed in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Founder’s Dan and Susan Barnes supplied free prescription drug discount cards to Family Centers in local schools throughout Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with the help of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Today FamilyWize has grown to include more than 55,000 community and faith-based organizations, county and municipal agencies, public and private companies, doctors, pharmacies and individuals. With about 900 United Way agencies and America’s Promise Alliance Partners participating in the local distribution of the free FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards throughout the nation. For more information, visit www.FamilyWize.org.