If you don’t have health insurance or need medicine not covered by your insurance plan, you can benefit from the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card being distributed by Char-Em United Way.

Char-Em United Way is providing these cards free-of-charge to everyone in the community. There are no age restrictions, no income restrictions, no limit on how many times you can use it and no waiting to get a card.

“With many employers cutting jobs and benefits, healthcare costs are one of the top concerns for people in our community,” said Martha Lancaster, executive director of Char-Em United Way.

The prescription cards were first made available by United Way in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties in April 2007. Since that time more than 1,000 prescriptions have been filled in the two-county area using the card for a total savings of $26,867, according to the United Way.

The cards can be obtained from the Department of Human Services, Friendship Centers, Community Free Clinic, Petoskey and Charlevoix public libraries, Manna Food Project, Kmart Pharmacies or by calling United Way at 487-1006.

People with Internet access can print a card by visiting the Web site at www.familywize.com, as well as look up drug prices and the list of participating pharmacies. Local businesses and employers can also get cards to give to their employees.

Locally, the FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards are accepted by Central Drug Store, Huff Pharmacy, Kelbel Pharmacy, and the pharmacies at the East Jordan Health Center, Glen’s, K-Mart, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, Rite Aid, Walgreen, and Wal-Mart. Char-Em United Way one of more than 750 United Ways in all 50 states which are distributing the cards.