Tips for using the new prescription drug plan for in-service members

Sep 22, 2005 12:20 PM

• Information regarding the plan design including co-pays, the drug formulary and the new retail maintenance network is available either on the UFT Web site; www.uft.org, (click on Member Services and then on Welfare Fund) or on the Express Scripts Web site at www.express-scripts.com.
• 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 are dispensed only as 30-day supplies. Unlike other maintenance drugs there is no mandate to use mail order. You should use a local pharmacy, because if you do use mail order you will be charged the mail-order co-pays for a 90-day supply but will only receive a 30-day supply of the medication.
• 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 Express Scripts Web site. There, you can use the Price Check 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 — although there is a small co-pay differential for using this new retail maintenance. Most pharmacies and chains participate in the network — check the listing on our Web site. This will allow you to get the needed prescription immediately and locally.