CAREMARK: 2010 changes are coming!
by Kathleen McCoy |
We are pleased to be working with the University of Alaska to administer your UA Choice prescription benefit plan.
Below is a brief overview of changes that will take effect July 1, 2010:
Prescription copays* at Retail will increase by $5 for preferred brand-name (Tier 2) and non-preferred brand-name (Tier 3) prescriptions. Mail copays will increase by $10 for preferred brand-name and non-preferred brand-name prescriptions.
The new copays are listed below:
Pharmacy Out-of-Pocket Maximum: This will be increasing from $800 to $1,000.
New Rules for All Brand-Name Copays: If you fill a brand-name drug (either preferred or non-preferred) where there is
a generic available, you will pay the difference in cost between generic and brand-name
drug, in addition to the applicable higher copay. This rule applies even if your doctor
writes "dispense as written" on the prescription.
Generic Step Therapy: This program encourages the use of generic medicines in 11 drug categories that
have a high number of generic alternatives available. The program requires the use
of generic or preferred brand-name drugs before a non-preferred brand-name drug can
be filled.
*Copay, copayment or coinsurance means the amount a plan participant is required to
pay for a prescription in
accordance with a Plan, which may be a deductible, a percentage of the prescription
price, a fixed amount or other
charge, with the balance, if any, paid by a Plan.
Your privacy is important to us. Our employees are trained regarding the appropriate
way to handle your private health
information.
As always, Caremark.com is an easy way to make the most of your prescription benefits:
- Sign up for automatic refills and renewals
- Visit the Savings Center to explore lower-cost options
- Sign up to receive alerts by e-mail, phone or text message
- Access the latest health and wellness information
Besides the communication CVS Caremark will send you, please watch for e-mails and mail from Statewide Human Resources. More information is also available on the University of Alaska benefits Web site at http://www.alaska.edu/benefits.
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