New Benefits services can keep you up to date with medications, supplies

Many medications and treatments are ongoing and need to be resupplied. Some conditions require regular medications and diabetic testing tools, while other situations require equipment like bathroom and physical support.

That’s where New Benefits Ltd. offerings can help you as a Samaritan Ministries member.

“It’s one thing to manage one’s chronic medical condition, but then there’s the financial cost that can be daunting!” said Felicia Joubert, manager of Strategic Relations at Samaritan Ministries. “New Benefits helps connect you, at no additional cost, to prescription discounts, diabetic supplies, and even durable medical equipment, from wound care to wheelchairs.”

Prescriptions

The cost of prescribed medications continues to increase, outpacing inflation through most of this century.

NB Rx can help you save from 10% to 85% on most medications for your family and even your pet at more than 60,000 U.S. retail pharmacies.

The offering works much like other prescription-discount services you’re used to. You’ll be able to compare prices at participating pharmacies through the New Benefits mobile app or web portal.

After accessing your New Benefits account through your Samaritan Dashboard and clicking on “NB Rx,” you can click on “Check Prices & Pharmacies.” Then you can type in information on your prescription, such as the name of the medication (either brand or generic name), times per day and number of days needed, then your ZIP code and the radius in which you’re searching.

After you click on the “Find the Lowest Price” button, information on the prescription’s availability will be shown, including pharmacy and address, distance from you, the brand name and price, and the generic name and price. You’ll then have a “card” with the drug information, your New Benefits account information, the pharmacy’s address and phone number, and a “Get Directions” button.

You can also save the medication to a virtual medicine cabinet on the website or app for future access in the future.

Your discount will still depend on the pharmacy’s practice at the time, since each business determines its own retail prices.

If you’re having trouble finding participating pharmacies or comparing prices, you can call New Benefits at (800) 800-7616 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays for help.

Currently, NB Rx can be used to purchase medications for pets that can also be given to humans. However, it cannot be used to buy medications that are exclusively for animals, such as certain types of parasiticides or vaccines.

Diabetic supplies

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world, affecting about 10% of the global population. The cost of diabetes is second only to chronic heart disease. A 2024 report estimated the total cost in the U.S. at $412.9 billion. “Glucose-lowering medications and diabetes supplies account for approximately 17% of the total direct medical costs attributable to diabetes,” the report said.

But using New Benefits will help you to save from 10% to 50% on diabetic testing supplies. You can use a pre-paid program to receive the supplies and even get a free fully audible blood glucose meter with your first order.

Services include:

• Free shipping on diabetic supply packages.
• Tracking information updates via email or text.

An annual testing program provided by the service offers more savings on supplies with automatic quarterly shipping and can be adjusted to how many times a day you test. Or you can just buy supplies directly as needed.

You can order supplies by accessing the New Benefits website through your Samaritan Dashboard or using your New Benefits app. You can also call (844) 269-6119 for more information or to order supplies from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central time Saturday.

Durable medical equipment

New Benefits’ durable medical equipment discount program through Allegro Medical helps you save 20% to 50% on equipment from first-aid materials to wheelchairs and walkers to incontinence supplies.

Allegro also offers discounts on catheters, ostomy supplies, exercise equipment, orthopedics, syringes, and a plethora of other health and medical wares.

Discounts are available on items you opt to have automatically shipped to you on a subscription basis. Or you can buy equipment directly as needed.

Access the website by logging on to your Samaritan Dashboard, then clicking on Health Resources. Click on New Benefits and then click over to the Durable Medical Equipment option.

You can order online at AllegroMedical.com or by calling (800) 861-3211 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time Monday or from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Tuesday through Friday.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant as medical or financial advice. Samaritan members may use New Benefits Ltd. offerings at their own discretion.