Know your benefits

Using the prescription drug plan

Jun 29, 2009 2:40 PM

Tips for in-service members

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, and the UFT Welfare Fund’s number is 1-212-539-0500 during business hours.

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 Web site or on the Medco Web site. 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 are dispensed only as 30-day supplies.
• 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 Web site. On the Web site, 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 — although there is a small co-pay differential for using this new retail maintenance. Most pharmacies and chains throughout the U.S. participate in the network — check the listing on the UFT Web site. This will allow you to get the needed prescription immediately and locally.