e-HUM Alert - Follow up on DestinationRx's relationship to United Methodists

March 23, 2004

Follow up on DestinationRx's relationship to United Methodists

By Daniel R. Gangler

Recent news by the United Methodist News Service has touted the offer of a prescription discount plan to all United Methodists through a company named "DestinationRx."

The arrangement for United Methodists was organized through leaders of The United Methodist Association, a national association of United Methodist-related ministries and individual professionals concerned about the quality of health care. The association serves nearly 400 health and human service organizations and professionals nationwide.

DestinationRx is NOT a prescription insurance plan. It is a discount plan, similar to hundreds of other plans on the market sold on TV and in magazines. According to North Indiana Conference Treasurer Brent Williams, the DestinationRx plan is a discount card that should benefit those who do not have existing coverage or access to discount pricing. It is geared to assist people who have fallen through the cracks and have no prescription insurance plan. Williams said when doing a spot check, he found the cost of North Indiana Conference insured prescriptions to be equal or lower than those of the DestinationRx program.

Williams said, "I am extremely proud that our church has taken a leadership role in an area that has such a tremendous impact in all of our lives. At some point, there will be relief in escalating healthcare and prescription costs, and with our awareness and involvement, that point may come sooner rather than later."

While the literature from DestinationRx purports to provide discounts at local pharmacies, it's primary interest is to encourage subscribers to utilize it's online pharmacy, where DestinationRx will reap substantial profits. Ordinarily, prescription discount plans require a membership fee in the range of $5 to $10. What DestinationRx has done for United Methodist subscribers is waive its customary membership fee of $10.

Any participant in an employer-sponsored prescription drug plan -- including the Indiana North and Indiana South Conference prescription drug plans -- will realize little value with a DestinationRx card. For pet medicines and other supplies not covered by drug plans, a modest discount over the retail price could possibly be obtained.

North and South Conference health plan participants should not expect additional concessions as a result of participating in this or any other discount prescription program. Williams said, "(annual conference health insurance) participants cannot use this program to gain further Rx discounts from Anthem's Express Scripts or the conference."

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