Have you ever needed prescription medication and wondered how you would be able to afford it?
The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way is spreading the word about a free program that can save folks up to 70 percent on prescription drugs.
It may sound like it is too good to be true, but according to the United Way it's not.
The Family Wize Program is for everyone, but it is geared towards people with little to no health insurance.
Monica Leitzel works for Susquehanna University but has off during the summer. She likes it that way so she can spend time with her children at their home in Sunbury, but not working during the summer concerns her in other ways.
"Right now I don't have a prescription plan. I don't know if I even have insurance right now. My children have ACCESS. I had to pay for my prescriptions," Leitzel said.
According to Liz Grove of the United Way, Leitzel is not alone. The United Way said one in four people in Northumberland County does not have health insurance.
That's why the agency is getting the word out about the Family Wize Program. It's a free, national prescription discount program. Funded by the pharmaceutical industry. Grove said Family Wize can save people up to 70 percent on medications.
"If they have medication they should take it daily. They should not be trying to figure out if they should pay for a meal to eat or buy their prescription medication," Grove said.
Signing up for the program is easy and you can do it from your cell phone. You just text the word 'family' to 700700 and click send. Almost immediately you will get a return confirmation which you take to the pharmacy.
You can also stop by the Great Susquehanna Valley United Way in Sunbury and get a free discount coupon or apply online.
"I think it's a great thing for people that are down on their luck and need somewhere to go. It will help out tremendously people that are low income and don't have the means to get regular insurance," said Kenneth Jenkins of Sunbury.
"It will save money on my part. I can get them more toys and clothes and things they need," Leitzel added.
The United Way said the average savings from the Family Wize Program is $17 per prescription and eight out of 10 times you will save money.