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Ohio Farm Bureau members now can save money on prescription drugs, phone service, amusement park tickets and hotels, thanks to new member benefits introduced in 2003.

"The goal of member services is to add value to the Ohio Farm Bureau membership. The organization tries to combine quality brands, simple programs and tangible savings to give members a real bargain for their membership dues," said Dan Rapp, OFBF director of member services.

To help offset rising health care costs, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has partnered with Universal Rx to offer preferred member prices on prescription drugs. The pharmacy plan allows cardholders to purchase prescriptions at any of 35,000 participating pharmacies and receive the lowest available cost.

Rapp said in the first three months the program was offered, Ohio Farm Bureau members saved $25,840. Members on average save 15 to 20 percent off the regular retail price.

Here is how the card works: Prescription cards may not be used in combination with any other drug card, however the card may allow you to save on prescriptions not covered in your insurance plan. The card is a "cash discount card" where members pay 100 percent co-pay at the point of purchase. This depends on what medications the cardholder is purchasing or on the margin between the Universal Rx national contract price and the pharmacy regular retail price. If the pharmacy price is lower than the Universal Rx nationally contracted price, then the member receives the lower pharmacy price. Some prescriptions have been known to have savings of up to 50 to 60 percent off regular retail prices.

The program covers you and your dependents. To locate the participating chain nearest you, call the Universal Rx Help Desk at 800-329-0988.

More than 1,200 members have switched to First Communications. Long-distance calling plans offer 6.5 cents a minute 24 hours a day with no monthly fee. Calling cards, personal toll-free numbers and special business accounts are available. First Communications also recently added local service for members currently using SBC. Members can save up to 40 percent for their local and long-distance service. Members also can choose to keep their existing phone number, extended calling areas, special features and line protection. For residential service, call 888-347-7826; for business service, call 800-860-1261, ext. 2450. Use sales code OFB.

OFBF offers members discounted rates at Cedar Point, Soak City, Paramount’s Kings Island and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. More than 1,700 tickets were sold this season, saving members $20,700.

Members saved anywhere from $4 to $13 per ticket, Rapp said.

Members qualify for a discount of up to 30 percent off regular room rates at more than 4,000 participating AmeriHost Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Travelodge, Villager and Wingate Inn hotels and motels throughout North America and Canada. Super 8 offers a 10 percent discount.

To receive the discount, members must make advance reservations and use the Hotel Savings Program ID number 67386. Reservations may be made over the phone or via the Internet.

In the first two months of this program, members saved $2,700.

For a complete list of OFBF member benefits, visit www.ofbf.org