Public Employee Press

Mail-order drug program becomes optional July 1

The DC 37 Health and Security Plan eliminated the mandatory mail-order program for maintenance medication and introduced a number of other changes in the prescription drug benefit on July 1.

The plan made the changes as it switched to a new drug benefit administrator, Innoviant Inc., from Express Scripts Inc. The plan hopes to improve services to members and save millions of dollars a year with Innoviant.

Members and retirees who experience coverage or other problems should call the plan’s Inquiry Unit at 212-815-1234.

To fill outstanding mail-order prescriptions, participants should call Innoviant at 800-207-1561.

The following are highlights of the changes:

• Retail 90 Rx: Under this new program, members and retirees may now buy 90-day supplies of medication — compared with a previous limit of 30-day supplies — at certain participating pharmacies. Participating chains include CVS, Duane Reade, Eckerd, Rite Aid and Walgreens. The co-pays for Retail 90 Rx are $15 for a 90-day supply of generics, $45 for medications on the preferred list and $105 for non-preferred drugs.
  
  
• Half Tab Rx: This new voluntary program will enable participants to cut their costs for certain medications by up to half. Participants will be able to use a special device to split higher-dosage tablets (which often cost the same as lower dosage versions) to create their own pills. Call 800-207-1561 to participate.
  
  
• Optional mail-order program: Participants are no longer required to get maintenance drugs by mail-order. Those who choose to continue with the program will continue to receive the one-third discount off the total cost of three regular monthly co-pays. The co-pays are $10 for a 90-day supply of generics, $30 for preferred drugs and $70 for non-preferred drugs. To register on-line for the mail service, go to https://member.innoviant.com/MemberPortal/Common/Login.aspx.

Innoviant has mailed out new prescription benefit cards. Because the cards are made of stiff paper, not plastic, the plan recommends that you photocopy and laminate your card.

In June, the DC 37 Health and Security Plan sent out a “Welcoming Packet” describing changes in the drug benefit.

Active employees and non-Medicare eligible retirees in the city’s PICA program received new ESI PICA cards in June. Before the switch to Innoviant, they used their DC 37 drug card to get injectable and chemotherapy medications through ESI, which continues to administer the city’s PICA program.