Q: What if my pharmacy doesn’t recognize the card?A: Pharmacies may not be familiar with every prescription program in which they participate. If the pharmacist does not recognize your Association Rx Card or if you encounter a problem at the pharmacy, DO NOT leave without having the pharmacy call the toll-free number printed on the ID card.
Q: How much will I pay for my prescriptions?
A: Members will pay based on the Tier their drug falls under. A payment of $10 or less is required for Tier I, $20 or less for Tier II, $50 or less for Tier III. Remember that quantities in excess of those listed for Tier I, II and III can result in a higher price. Members will pay the network contracted price negotiated by your association for Tier IV drugs.
Q: What is my average discount on Non-Preferred Drugs?
A: There is no definite percentage savings on every prescription purchase. The price paid depends upon the pharmacy and the type and quantity of drug purchased. Pharmacies, just like other retail stores, compete against each other and may have special prices on some products. When this is the case, we cannot discount the pharmacy’s already low price, but a member will receive the advantage of the pharmacy’s special pricing.THE MEMBER ALWAYS RECEIVES THE LOWER OF THE CONTRACTED PRICE OR THE PHARMACY’S PRICE.
Q: What is a generic drug?
A: Once a patent on a brand name drug expires, other drug companies may make a generic version of the drug, with the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA’s standards for quality are the same for all manufacturers. This means the generic drug contains the same active ingredients as the brand name whose patent has expired, and that it’s safe, potent and effective.
Q: How can I keep my prescription drug costs down?A: The use of generic prescription drugs, whenever available, is most cost effective. Don’t be shy, discuss your prescription options with your doctor or pharmacist. Ask whether an alternative, less expensive option would work for your condition.
Q: How will I know if there’s a generic equivalent available?
A: Simply ask your local pharmacist or call the Customer Service department to find out about generic equivalents for your prescription. Also ask your doctor to prescribe generics whenever possible and appropriate. (Your new member packet will include helpful materials you can share with your doctor.)
Q: What is the difference between brand name and generic drugs?
A: The brand name is the trade name under which the product is advertised and sold, and is protected by patents so that it can only be produced by one manufacturer for a predetermined number of years. Once a patent expires, other companies may manufacturer a generic equivalent, providing they follow stringent FDA regulations for safety.
Generic drugs are drugs for which the patent has expired, allowing other manufacturers to produce and distribute the product under a generic name. Generics are essentially a chemical copy of their brand name equivalents. The color or shape may be different, but the active ingredients must be the same for both. The preferred drug list contains only FDA-approved generic medications.
Q: What is a preferred drug list?
A: A preferred drug list is a list of recommended prescription medications that is created, reviewed and continually updated by a team of physicians and pharmacists. The preferred drug list contains a wide range of generic and brand name preferred products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Your doctor can use this list to select medications for your health care needs, while helping you maximize your prescription drug savings. A medication becomes a preferred drug based on safety and efficacy, the non-cost-effectiveness.
Q: What is the difference between a preferred brand name drug vs. a non-preferred brand name drug?
A: A preferred brand name drug is a medication that has been reviewed and approved by a group of physicians and pharmacists, and has been selected for preferred status based on its proven clinical and cost effectiveness.
A non-preferred brand name drug is a medication that has been reviewed by the same team of physicians and pharmacists who determined that an alternative drug that is clinically equivalent and most cost effective is available. These designations may change as new clinical information becomes available.
Q: What drugs are considered preferred (formulary) on Discount Plans?
A: The preferred drugs are those that generally have larger discounts.
Q: What if the brand drug I am taking is not discounted?
A: If you are currently taking a medication that has similar active ingredients or is used to treat the same conditions as the preferred brand drugs on the product guide, it will still be discounted. You will pay the negotiated price for that drug. To take advantage of the potential program savings on listed preferred drugs, you should ask your Pharmacist (where regulations permit) or a Doctor to change your medication, where medically appropriate, to a less expensive product listed in the product guide.
Please refer to www.AssociationRXCard.com for additional terms and conditions.