Open enrollment is currently underway for the health insurance marketplace, but recent surveys indicate that many folks are planning to opt out of signing up this year. A November Bank rate survey found over half the people who signed up for Obamacare last year don’t plan to participate again in 2015. The primary reason given was higher insurance prices, which illustrates the heightened role consumer-focused resources like prescription discount cards will play in today’s health care system.

Indeed, the rising cost of health care is one of the biggest challenges folks are facing today. Even the cost of generic drugs that many rely on for affordable prices are rising at an alarming rate. A recent report from the Associated Press found that generic drugs are seeing price spikes of up to 8,000 percent and are causing so many problems that congress is examining ways to address the unsavory trend.

To alleviate some of these burdens, a prescription discount card is a great resource for consumers to utilize. Our Paramount Rx discount card program was created to save users up to 70 percent off the retail price of generic drugs, an especially valuable tool for the uninsured or underinsured. In addition to those who may receive little to no health care coverage, the program has also benefited people with existing insurance as it can sometimes offer better savings in the face of high co-pays and deductibles.

To date, the Paramount Rx prescription discount card program has helped the public save millions of dollars off the retail price of prescription medications and we hope continue building on this momentum to help serve our partners and customers in 2015. In addition to working with a national network of over 54,000 participating pharmacies, Paramount Rx has established partnership discount card programs with a variety of organizations to benefit their employees and customers.

Whether empowering consumers through health care reform or helping them achieve the lowest costs on prescription drugs when they go to the pharmacy, Paramount Rx and other consumer programs will have an essential place in the health care system as medical costs remain high and legislation continues to develop.

For more details on Paramount Rx, along with information on how the program provides cost saving for both families and pets, please visit www.paramountrx.com.