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5 Important Things you need to know to get the most from your drug plan

Your pharmacy benefit is designed to give access to quality products and services at cost effective prices. In order to get the most from your program, consider the following when using your benefits:

  • 1

    When having your prescriptions filled, use your MHCSI drug card at the Preferred Provider Network pharmacy of your choice.

    Locate a preferred pharmacy near you here.

  • 2

    Generic Medications

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is a treatment option for your condition available in a generic medication.

    Generic medications contain the same active ingredient(s) and offer the same benefits as their more expensive brand-name counterparts.

    By using generic medications, you and your benefit program save money while maintaining the same level of care. In many cases, savings with generic equivalents can be as much as 75%.

  • 3

    Maintenance Medications/90 day Supply:

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe a 90 day supply of your regularly required medications.

    If you require on-going treatment with a stable dose of a medication, you and your plan can save money by having your prescriptions filled in 3 month (90 days) supplies. By reducing the number of refills from 12 to 4 per year, you and your plan save 67% on professional dispensing fees.

    Examples of often-used medications that are good candidates to be filled in 3 month supplies include birth control pills, high blood pressure medications, cholesterol drugs, and pills for thyroid or diabetes.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a 90 day supply is right for you.

  • 4

    Trial Prescriptions:

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe a trial quantity for new-to-you medications.

    Certain medications, particularly those that are expensive, intended for on-going use, and that often work differently for different people, are good candidates to try in an initial 1 - 4 week supply.

    By participating in a trial program you will be sure that the medication is a good choice for you, and if not, you will have minimized your risk from poorly tolerated medication and saved money otherwise spent on wasted medication.

  • 5

    Pharmacy Care Services:

    Ask your pharmacist to help you get the most from your medications.

    Your pharmacist is your “Medication Manager”. This means that it is their job to be sure that you get the best results possible from taking your medications and will work with you and your doctor to achieve this.

    Your pharmacist will advise you on such things as:

    • What results to expect from the medication and how long it will take to see those results;
    • Common side effects and how to manage them;
    • What to do if you are not getting the expected results;
    • Establishing treatment goals and making care plans to get you there;
    • Acting as a valuable and readily available resource for disease and drug information.