Public Employee Press

Mail-order plan now a must for long-term drugs

Beginning Jan. 1, the DC 37 Health and Security Plan’s mail-order program for maintenance drugs became mandatory. The change will help curb the rising cost of prescription drugs, a growing portion of the plan’s overall benefit spending. The union also provides dental, eyeglass, legal, educational and other benefits.

The mail-order program is for members and retirees who use prescription drugs for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cholesterol, hypertension and arthritis. Mail-order costs less than members would pay at a neighborhood pharmacy.

“Some people may initially regard the change as an imposition,” said plan Administrator Rosaria R. Esperon, “But once they get used to the mail service, they should appreciate the convenience and the lower co-payments.”

By mail, a 90-day supply of medication costs $6 for generic drugs, $15 for medications on the plan’s “preferred list” and $30 for brand-name drugs not on the list. At a pharmacy, generics cost $3 for a 30-day supply ($9 for 90 days), preferred drugs cost $8 ($24 for 90 days) and non-preferred drugs are $15 ($45 for 90 days).

Under the newly mandatory mail program, participants who use maintenance drugs will be allowed to fill their prescriptions three times at a pharmacy. But the fourth time, the pharmacy’s computer system will flag the prescription and the participants will be instructed to use the mail-order program.

People who use maintenance drugs should have their physician fill out 90-day prescriptions. To use the mail service, get a form and postage-free envelope by calling 212-815-7521 or visiting the Health and Security Plan at DC 37. Send it with your prescription and payment and the pre- scriptions will be delivered to your home in 10 to 14 days. You can order refills by phone (800-223-7139) or online (www.cfipharmacy.com).

The name of the mail-service will soon be changed from CFI Mail Service Pharmacy to Express Scripts Mail Service Pharmacy.