A powerful partnership involving United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region has saved local residents more than $1.8 million on prescription medications since 2007.

FamilyWize, a community service organization, works with United Ways across the country to lower the cost of prescription medications for local individuals and families. The program provides discount cards that help people save an average of 43% on their prescription costs. The card is free and available to anyone, with no eligibility requirements. It’s accepted at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide and covers all FDA-approved prescription medicines.

In 2019 alone, residents of Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties saved $251,538 on their medicines through the FamilyWize partnership with United Way. Since 2005, FamilyWize has helped 11 million Americans save more than $1 billion on the cost of medicines.

“The cost of health care, including medicines, is a significant factor that can send struggling families into poverty,” said Irene Muthui, Community Impact Associate for United Way BCKR. “People with low income often have to choose between medicine and food. No one should ever have to make that choice.”

Muthui said quality, affordable health care—including affordable medications—is crucial to building financially stable households, which is the goal of United Way’s work with ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) individuals and families.

“According to the ALICE Report, 4 in 10 households in our region are either in poverty or struggling to make ends meet,” Muthui said. “Our partnership with FamilyWize is one way we can help those individuals and families reach financial stability. And since the FamilyWize program is available to everyone, even those who are already financially stable can strengthen that position by reducing their drug costs.”

The FamilyWize Prescription Saving Card is available for free at United Way BCKR offices in Battle Creek (34 W. Jackson St.) and Kalamazoo (709 S. Westnedge Ave.). You can also download the card from the FamilyWize website, familywize.org. In addition, FamilyWize has a mobile app available from Google Play and the Apple App Store, and on this webpage: familywize.org/free-prescription-discount-card.