|
Whether you take one pill a day or more, the resources and tools provided by CVS Caremark can help you manage
your medications and control your costs, while getting the treatment you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With that goal in mind, here are some tips to save money and get the most out of your prescription drug benefit:
 1. Generics and Preferred Drugs Can Help Control Costs
Using generic medications is one of the best ways to manage your prescription drug costs. Since your out-of-pocket copayment is lowest when you use a generic, it makes sense to ask your doctor to prescribe a generic whenever possible, and to the extent that it is medically appropriate.
No Generic? Ask your doctor if there is a preferred drug from Caremark's preferred drug list to treat your condition, and if it would be right for you. You will pay a lower copayment for these medications, compared to a non-preferred brand name medication.
2. Take Advantage of Mail Order
CVS Caremark's mail order pharmacy provides lower cost and convenient home delivery for your medications.
You may request a refill of a 90-day prescription through CVS Caremark mail service at day 50. You may also receive as much as a 180-day supply through the mail order pharmacy, if your physician will write the prescription for that quantity. You will pay two times the copay you would pay for a 90-day supply.
Note: Drugs that are classed as Controlled Substances are never considered maintenance medications. Therefore, you should fill these prescriptions at a participating retail pharmacy. Prescriptions for Controlled Substances will not be subject to a $50 penalty on the third and subsequent refill.
 HINT: If your doctor gives you a new prescription for a maintenance medication, ask him to write out two separate prescriptions: one for a short-term supply of up to 30 days that you can start right away, and another one for up to a 90-day supply with three refills, when clinically appropriate. Fill the short-term supply immediately at a local CVS Caremark participating retail pharmacy and send the 90-day supply prescription to CVS Caremark to be filled via the mail service pharmacy.
3. Prepare Before You Travel with Medications
Before leaving on a trip, check your supply of maintenance medications.
If you think you will run out while you are traveling, there are two ways to quickly get a supply for travel:
1. You can refill a 90-day prescription through Caremark mail service as early as day 50. This should help you get your prescriptions in time for your trip.
2. You can have your doctor write you a new prescription that allows you to get a 90-day supply, plus up to 3 refills, as appropriate. You may also be able to receive as much as a 180-day supply, if your physician will write the prescription for that quantity.
How long does it take to get medications? Normal turnaround time for delivery of your prescription is approximately 14 days after CVS Caremark receives your order. However, if your departure date is just around the corner, Caremark can arrange for Rush Delivery.
4. Dealing with a Chronic Condition?
CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy Services offers a program for individuals who use specialty injectable and oral medications for a chronic condition. This service can provide you with greater convenience and superior service, including express delivery, follow-up care calls, expert counseling, and more.
To inquire about Specialty Pharmacy Services, please have your healthcare provider call CaremarkConnect® at 1-800-237-2767. If you qualify, you may also begin the enrollment process online at https://healthresources.caremark.com/topic/enrollInPharmacy.
Regardless of how you begin the process, Caremark's staff of specialists can help ascertain what coverage is available from your health plan and Caremark, saving you both time and money.
AND, don't forget www.caremark.com can help you manage your prescription drug benefits, make more informed decisions about drugs, treatment options, and more.
| 
