Using the prescription drug plan this summer

As we head into summer, some of you will be heading out of town or even out of the country. Just remember to take care of your maintenance prescription needs before you pack your bags! For emergencies, always carry your Medco prescription ID card.

Summer vacation supplies

For those traveling out of the country this summer, it is especially important to have your 90-day maintenance medications filled before you leave so you do not run short.

This can be accomplished in one of two ways: through the Medco by mail program or from one of our participating retail maintenance pharmacies. Medco’s customer service number — which you can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week — is 1-800-723-9182. You can contact the UFT Welfare Fund during regular business hours at 1-212-539-0500.

Tips for using your prescription plan

Information regarding the plan design including co-pays, the drug formulary and the retail maintenance network is available either on the Welfare Fund website at or on the Medco website.

Below are some useful pointers for using your plan.

• Before ordering or refilling medications, review what tier your drug is on by checking the formulary. The tier (generic, brand formulary or brand non-formulary) will determine your co-pay responsibility.
• Bring the formulary to your doctor and together you should decide on which medication is appropriate for you.
• Controlled substances filled in New York State are dispensed only in 30-day supplies. New York State guidelines now restrict controlled drugs from being refilled too soon to allow an early vacation supply. You must obtain a new pre-dated Rx from your physician and have it filled in the state you are traveling to. Medco has over 50,000 participating pharmacies in their national network. You must present your UFT Medco prescription card with the new prescription to the pharmacy.
• Please remember, by law you cannot return prescription drugs even if the package is unopened. You will be charged for any prescription ordered. Take time to understand your co-pays prior to ordering. This information is available through your pharmacist or by going to the Medco website. On the website, you can use the “Price a Medication” button to receive drug price information.
• Should you forget to reorder a maintenance drug and need it immediately, rather than contacting the mail-order pharmacy, you can have your doctor call in a prescription to a participating retail maintenance network pharmacy. You will, however, pay a slightly higher co-pay for a brand name if you use this method. Most independent and chain pharmacies throughout the United States participate in the network — check the listing on the UFT website by typing the words “retail maintenance network” in the search engine. This will allow you to get the needed prescription immediately and locally.

College-bound students

If your dependent child will be heading off to college in the fall, you should order another Medco card for him or her to take along to school. Please contact the UFT Welfare Fund during regular business hours at 1-212-539-0500 to process your request.