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| Where can I use this card? |
| Your card can be used at over 60,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. The network includes all major pharmacy chains as well as thousands of independent pharmacies throughout the United States. |
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| What if my pharmacy doesn’t recognize the card? |
| Pharmacies may not be familiar with every prescription program in which they participate.
If the pharmacist does not recognize your card or if you encounter a problem
at the pharmacy, DO NOT leave without having the pharmacy call the toll-free
number printed on the ID card. |
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| How much will I pay for my prescriptions? |
| There are payments of up to $10.00 for drugs listed in Tier 1, up to $20.00 for brand name and select generic drugs listed in Tier 2 and up to $50.00 for brand name and select generic drugs listed in Tier 3. For the drugs not listed in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 members will pay the network contracted price that has been negotiated. Please pay close attention to the quantities listed by each drug in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Quantities in excess of those listed will result in higher prices generic drugs. On non-preferred brand name drugs, members pay the network
contracted price. |
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| What is my average discount on Non-Preferred Drugs? |
| There is no guaranteed percentage savings on every prescription purchase. The price
paid depends upon the pharmacy and the type and quantity of drug purchased.
Pharmacies, just like other retail stores, compete against each other and may have special
prices on some products. When this is the case, we cannot discount the pharmacy’s
already low price, but a member will receive the advantage of the pharmacy’s special
pricing. THE MEMBER ALWAYS RECEIVES THE LOWER OF THE CONTRACT
PRICE OR THE PHARMACY’S PRICE. |
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| What is a generic drug? |
| Once a patent on a brand name drug expires, other drug companies may make a generic
version of the drug, with the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA’s standards for quality are the same for all manufacturers. This means the
generic drug contains the same active ingredients as the brand name whose patent has
expired, and that its safe, potent and effective. |
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| How can I keep my prescription drug costs down? |
| The use of generic prescription drugs, whenever available, is most cost effective. Don’t
be shy – discuss your prescription options with your doctor. Ask whether an alternative,
less expensive option would work for your condition. |
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| How will I know if there’s a generic equivalent available? |
| Simply ask your local pharmacist or call our customer service department to find out
about generic equivalents for your prescription. Also ask your doctor to prescribe generics
whenever possible and appropriate. (Your new member packet will include helpful
materials you can share with your doctor.) |
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| What is the difference between brand name and generic drugs? |
| The brand name is the trade name under which the product is advertised and sold, and
is protected by patents so that it can only be produced by one manufacturer for a predetermined
number of years. Once a patent expires, other companies may manufacturer
a generic equivalent, providing they follow stringent FDA regulations for safety.
Generic drugs are drugs for which the patent has expired, allowing other manufacturers
to produce and distribute the product under a generic name. Generics are essentially a
chemical copy of their brand name equivalents. The color or shape may be different,
but the active ingredients must be the same for both. The preferred drug list contains
only FDA-approved generic medications. |
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| What is a preferred drug list? |
| A preferred drug list is a list of recommended prescription medications that is created,
reviewed and continually updated by a team of physicians and pharmacists. The preferred
drug list contains a wide range of generic and brand name preferred products that
have been approved by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). Your doctor can use this list to select medications for your
health care needs, while helping you maximize your prescription drug benefit. A medication
becomes a preferred drug based on safety and efficacy, then on cost-effectiveness. |
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| What is the difference between a preferred brand name drug vs. a non-preferred
brand name drug? |
| A preferred brand name drug is a medication that has been reviewed and approved by a
group of physicians and pharmacists, and has been selected for preferred status based
on its proven clinical and cost effectiveness.
A non-preferred brand name drug is a medication that has been reviewed by the same
team of physicians and pharmacists who determined that an alternative drug that is clinically
equivalent and most cost effective is available. These designations may change as
new clinical information becomes available. |
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