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Mail-order plan now a must for long-term
drugs
Beginning Jan. 1, the DC 37 Health and Security Plan’s
mail-order program for maintenance drugs became mandatory. The change
will help curb the rising cost of prescription drugs, a growing portion
of the plan’s overall benefit spending. The union also provides
dental, eyeglass, legal, educational and other benefits.
The mail-order program is for members and retirees who use prescription
drugs for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cholesterol, hypertension
and arthritis. Mail-order costs less than members would pay at a neighborhood
pharmacy.
“Some people may initially regard the change as an imposition,”
said plan Administrator Rosaria R. Esperon, “But once they get
used to the mail service, they should appreciate the convenience and
the lower co-payments.”
By mail, a 90-day supply of medication costs $6 for generic drugs, $15
for medications on the plan’s “preferred list” and $30
for brand-name drugs not on the list. At a pharmacy, generics cost $3
for a 30-day supply ($9 for 90 days), preferred drugs cost $8 ($24 for
90 days) and non-preferred drugs are $15 ($45 for 90 days).
Under the newly mandatory mail program, participants who use maintenance
drugs will be allowed to fill their prescriptions three times at a pharmacy.
But the fourth time, the pharmacy’s computer system will flag the
prescription and the participants will be instructed to use the mail-order
program.
People who use maintenance drugs should have their physician fill out
90-day prescriptions. To use the mail service, get a form and postage-free
envelope by calling 212-815-7521 or visiting the Health and Security
Plan at DC 37. Send it with your prescription and payment and the pre-
scriptions will be delivered to your home in 10 to 14 days. You can
order refills by phone (800-223-7139) or online (www.cfipharmacy.com).
The name of the mail-service will soon be changed from CFI Mail Service
Pharmacy to Express Scripts Mail Service Pharmacy.
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