BCBSNC Announces Revolutionary Pharmacy Benefit Program for Employers

This month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC is launching a new program designed to increase medication adherence by offering free generic medications, as well as certain brand-name drugs at a lower copayment, that are used in the treatment of four chronic diseases. As detailed in the Eyes on Benefits article dated 12/21/07, the BCBSNC Medication Dedication program will offer group members a generic copayment waiver for medications used to treat congestive heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Additionally, BCBSNC will lower the copayments on over 40 brand-name medications for treatment of the same chronic conditions into the second lowest copayment tier. Lists of the drugs eligible for generic copayment waiver and the brand name medications that are being moved to the lower tier, as well as a list of frequently asked questions, are attached to this email for your convenience.

The generic copayment waiver is effective January 1, 2008, for members of BCBSNC underwritten groups and ASO groups that opt into the program. Members only need to present their BCBSNC ID card to a network pharmacy to receive the generic copayment waiver.

The BCBSNC Medication Dedication program is designed to improve a patient’s adherence to his or her doctor’s prescribed drug regimen, which has been proven to provide significant health benefits and lower overall health costs by treating chronic conditions before they become more serious and more costly to treat.

Please note: Medco (BCBSNC’s pharmacy provider) has been experiencing difficulty in properly registering some groups for participation in the Medication Dedication program. As a result, BCBSNC wants to assure these groups that they are working on making the necessary corrections and they will be properly registered for program participation. Any member that had a prescription filled for one of the drugs on the copayment waiver list between 1/1 and 1/4 can return to the pharmacy for reimbursement of the copayment.

Should you have any additional questions about this program, please contact our office at 919-403-1986.

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January 7, 2008

Hill, Chesson & Woody
Employee Benefit Services

194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919.403.1986
Fax: 919.913.0237

www.hcwbenefits.com