Co-op Connections® for Members FAQ’s

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• What is the Co-op Connections program?

  The Co-op Connections program is an exclusive membership discount program that offers cooperative members thousands of local and national deals. In cooperation with Touchstone Energy, a national alliance of more than 640 member-owned electric cooperatives in 46 states, MLEC offers this card to bring value to its members and to help participating businesses grow.

• Does this program cost the member anything to join?

  No. You get a card simply for being an active MLEC member. The Co-op Connections card is another way MLEC demonstrates the value of cooperative membership.

• How is the card activated?

  No activation fees or registration are necessary. Simply use the card at any business that displays the Co-op Connections window decal or when using one of the national discounts. Visit www.mlec.com">www.mlec.com to find valuable online discounts.

• Does everyone in my family need an individual card?

  No. One card may be used by the entire family.

• Where do I use the card?

  Your Co-op Connections card is accepted at over 50 national companies, some of the local businesses, and over 9,000 businesses in 29 states. Any business that displays the Co-op Connections window decal honors the card. When you travel, you may use you MLEC card wherever the local Co-op Connections card is accepted.

• How do I find a list of businesses offering discounts?

  Go to the Co-op Connections for Members Web page at www.mlec.com to view participating local and national businesses and their discount offers, as well as participating local and national pharmacies. Since businesses may join at any time, check our Web site frequently for the most up-to-date information. A list of local businesses can also be picked up in your local MLEC office.

• What if I don’t have Internet access?

  Members may call 931-729-3558 and request a list of participating local businesses or pick up one at your local MLEC office.

• What if a business does not honor the card?

  All participating businesses have agreed to honor the card for a minimum of one year. If you encounter any problems with a participating business, please email power@mlec.net or contact MLEC Member Services at 931-729-3558.

• What if I lose the card?

  You can pick up a new card at any local MLEC office.

Mail Order Prescription Discount FAQ's

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• Prescription program administered by Health Trans

  *Pharmacy discounts are not insurance and are not intended as a substitue for insurance.

• What is the mail order program?

  Since most maintenance (long-term) medications are purchased in 90-day supplies, members can maximize savings and have the convenience of free home delivery by ordering through the mail order option. You can also go to www.connections.coop to learn more about this program.

• How do I order prescriptions through the mail order program?

  Call 877-839-8121 and ask for the “low price guarantee” to receive the absolute lowest price. They guarantee to beat any price by at least $5.00 (valid on all prescriptions over $10). Operators are available Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time) with no Saturday hours. You will need to provide your group number and member number found on the back of your card.

• How much will I save with the pharmacy discount?

  The discounts may save you 10 percent to 60 percent on prescriptions for your entire household.

• Can the card be used for over-the-counter medications or only on prescriptions?

  Under this program, the card may only be used for prescription medications.

• How do I get mail order information if I don’t have Internet access?

  Members may call 877-839-8121 to get price quotes and mail order forms.

• How does the pharmacy mail order discount differ from traditional prescription insurance?

  The plan is not insurance; it is a pharmacy discount offer. Unlike insurance, there is no limit to the number of times you may use the card.

• Can my Co-op Connections card be used with my current insurance benefit to reduce my costs?

  No. It cannot be used in conjunction with insurance. However, for each prescription you have filled, it is acceptable to price the prescription both ways, comparing your insurance cost to the Co-op Connections cost. You may also save money by using your card to purchase prescriptions not covered by your insurance plan.

• Can this card be used in conjunction with Medicare Part D?

  While you may not use this discount along with Medicare Part D, you may use the card to fill in the annual gap after the limit has been reached through Medicare.

• What is the group number?

  This number is specific to MLEC. It is used by pharmacists to report utilization information on a monthly and year-to-date basis.

• What is the member number?

  Every Co-op Connections card has the same member number. This number identifies the cardholder as a Touchstone Energy member.

• What is the bin number?

  This number is used as an identifier by the mail order pharmacy for Touchstone Energy. The pharmacy uses this number when they file their paperwork.

• What is the PCN number?

  This number is used as an identifier by the mail order pharmacy for Touchstone Energy. The pharmacy also uses this number with their paperwork.

• Are the numbers the same on all MLEC cards?

  Yes.

• If I have a question about the mail order pharmacy discount program, whom do I call?

  Cardholders may call 877-839-8121 to ask general questions about the program. This number may also be used by members without internet access to get price quotes and forms. This phone number is staffed Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time) with no Saturday hours.

• Do any retail pharmacies offer a discount?

  Yes, you can save money on prescriptions when you use your Co-op Connections card at participating local retail pharmacies!

• Which pharmacies accept the Co-op Connections card?

  Touchstone Energy has 48,000 pharmacies participating in the program. To find a participating pharmacy, use the pharmacy search and also the price search tools at www.mlec.com on the Co-op Connections for Members page.