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Drug Coverage
Our safe, convenient and cost-effective prescription drug plans provide members with:
- A nationwide network of 66,000 pharmacies
- Access to thousands of covered prescription drugs
- Mail Service Pharmacy, a convenient and fast option to refill your prescriptions through home delivery
- Coordinated medical and pharmacy programs to help improve your overall health and reduce costs
- Personalized notices and phone calls from our pharmacy benefit manager detailing cost savings opportunities, safety alerts and drug education
Our Formulary (Drug List) Structure
A formulary is a list of covered prescription drugs. Our drug list is reviewed and approved by an independent national committee comprised of physicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals who make sure the drugs on the formulary are safe and clinically effective.
Learn how to access the Preferred Drug List of medications covered by your plan.
Within the formulary, prescription drugs are divided into tiers. Depending on your plan, prescription drugs fall into one of five drug tiers which determines the price you pay. Some plans may have 3, 4 or 5 tiers, so be sure to check your benefits information to see which tiers are included.
Members can view specific cost-share (copay or coinsurance) information by logging in to My Account to access the Drug Pricing Tool or by reviewing their annual summary of benefits.
The chart below describes a 5-tier drug plan:
Drug Tier (cost-share) | Definition |
---|---|
Tier 0 $0 Drugs |
Preventive drugs (e.g. statins, aspirin, folic acid, fluoride, iron supplements, smoking cessation products and FDA-approved contraceptives for women) are available at a zero-dollar cost share if prescribed under certain medical criteria by your doctor. Oral chemotherapy drugs and diabetic supplies (e.g. insulin syringes, pen needles, lancets, test strips, and alcohol swabs) are also available at a zero-dollar cost share. |
Tier 1 Generic Drugs $ |
Generic drugs are the same as brand-name drugs in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Generic drugs generally cost less than brand-name drugs. |
Tier 2 Preferred Brand Drugs $$ |
Preferred brand drugs are brand-name drugs that may not be available in generic form, but are chosen for their cost effectiveness compared to alternatives. Your cost-share will be more than generics but less than non-preferred brand drugs. If a generic drug becomes available, the preferred brand drug may be moved to the non-preferred brand category. |
Tier 3 Non-Preferred Brand Drugs $$$ |
Non-preferred brand drugs often have a generic or preferred brand drug option where your cost-share will be lower. |
Tier 4 Preferred Specialty Drugs $$$$ |
Preferred specialty brand drugs are specialty brand-name drugs that may not be available in generic form but are chosen for their cost effectiveness compared to alternatives. Your cost-share will be more than generics but less than non-preferred specialty brand drugs. If a generic drug becomes available, the preferred specialty brand drug may be moved to the non-preferred specialty brand category. |
Tier 5 Non-Preferred Specialty Drugs $$$$$ |
Non-preferred specialty drugs often have a specialty drug option where your cost-share will be lower. |