Public Employee Press

Drug plan offers new Web portal

Members and retirees can now keep track of their prescriptions on a Web portal set up for the union.

On Feb. 1, the new administrator of the union’s prescription drug benefit, Innoviant Inc., unveiled a section of its Web site devoted to DC 37.

For now, you may access the section by going to a Web address that is only accessible to DC 37 members and retirees, https://member.Innoviant.com. Beginning in June, you will be able to access the DC 37 portal by going to Innoviant’s home page at www.innoviant.com.

“During our contract negotiations with Innoviant, we insisted that they have a section on their Web site where our members could keep track of their prescription drug usage,” said Rosaria R. Esperon, administrator of the DC 37 Health and Security Plan.

“We wanted the personal accounts to be a part of a section that provides an overview of our drug plan. Virtually all the information you need is there — our co-pay structure, lists of generic and preferred medications and extensive details about coverage.”

Besides providing you with comprehensive information on the prescription benefit, the member Web portal, decorated with the DC 37 logo, enables you to:

• view and print your claims history for medications
• use a “Pharmacy Finder” to locate a network pharmacy near you by typing in an address or zip code and
• search the “preferred products list” (also known as a formulary) by medication name or therapy category to help you and your physician find lower cost brand-name and generic medications instead of more expensive brand-name drugs
• download forms for claims reimbursements and specialty pharmacy orders and
• get answers to frequently asked questions about the prescription drug benefit.

The portal is user-friendly and allows you to click on buttons to get “pop-ups,” which explain confusing terms. It describes such programs and procedures as step therapy; “Half Tab Rx,” which provides you with a pill-splitting device; mail-ordering; prior authorization; and “Retail 90 Rx,” which allows you to get a three-month prescription instead of the usual 30-day one.

The portal also has a wealth of information about generic drugs and tips for staying healthy. Signing up only takes a few minutes.

To register, you will need your member identification number and Rx group numbers, which are on the Innoviant prescription card. You will also be asked your date of birth and e-mail address. You will be sent a temporary password, which you can later change.

“It’s user-friendly and easy to navigate,” Esperon said about the member portal. “The portal provides a centralized location where members and retirees should be able to get the information they need about their benefit.” She added that help is also always available at the union, too. “You can contact our inquiry unit to get answers to all your questions about coverage.”

You can reach the inquiry unit at 212-815-1234.