CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the success of its
generic copayment holiday in 2004, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina (BCBSNC) has launched a new effort to encourage members to consider
generic drugs for the treatment of common conditions.
From October through December of 2004, BCBSNC waived copayments for all
generic drugs for members who have their prescription coverage through the
company. Under that initiative, the company's generic dispensing rate
increased from 47 percent to 53 percent. The number of generic prescriptions
increased 390,000, compared to the previous three-month period.
"Members are clearly finding that choosing generic drugs is a sensible way
to control their monthly health care costs without sacrificing quality," said
Ron Smith, BCBSNC director of Corporate Pharmacy. "In 2005, we are continuing
to offer incentives for members to consider generics as a cost-effective
option, when appropriate."
As part of its new initiative, BCBSNC is waiving a member's first
copayment for any new prescription for selected generic maintenance drugs in a
variety of classes. These include generic maintenance drugs for the treatment
of high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and high cholesterol. [Full list
is at the end of this release.] The initiative began on January 1 for BCBSNC-
insured members who have prescription drug coverage through the company. Self-
insured companies whose drug benefits are administered by BCBSNC will also
have the option of offering this waiver to members, beginning April 1. Every
new prescription that a member receives for a generic medication included in
this program is eligible for the one-time waiver. Members' deductibles and
benefit limits still apply.
"These generic maintenance drugs are for the treatment of chronic
conditions, and they are typically taken daily," Smith said. "As such, members
stand to save significantly by switching from a brand-name to a generic
maintenance drug."
Generic drugs are the same as the corresponding brand-name drugs in active
ingredients, dosage, strength, safety and performance. Generics typically cost
30 to 70 percent less than the comparable brand-name drug. For BCBSNC members,
the average monthly out-of-pocket savings for switching to an appropriate
generic is $10 to $30, which is an annual savings of $120 to $360. This does
not include the additional savings they will receive because of the copayment
waiver. The lower costs for generic drugs are typically associated with the
lower marketing and development costs for those drugs.
BCBSNC members retain the option of choosing a brand-name drug, even if an
appropriate generic alternative is available. Members cannot be prescribed a
generic drug unless a physician specifically indicates that it is an
appropriate alternative to a brand-name drug.
Members of the State Health Plan and Federal Employee Program are not
eligible for the copayment waiver for new generic maintenance drug
prescriptions because BCBSNC does not administer the drug benefits for those
plans.
BCBSNC features a series of online tools to help members with their drug
choices. The average retail price of all drugs covered by BCBSNC is available
in the member drug guide. The company's Web site allows members to search for
generic alternatives for brand-name drugs. BCBSNC recently launched
PharmaAdvisor(TM), an online tool that members can use to select a particular
medical condition and find out the various types of drug treatments that may
be available. A member can research the relative costs of those options and
estimate their out-of-pocket costs. BCBSNC is making PharmaAdvisor available
through a relationship with Subimo, LLC, a leader in providing innovative
health-related decision support tools for consumers.
Generic Maintenance Drugs Included in New BCBSNC Initiative
DIURETICS (Drugs to Treat High Blood Pressure)
chlorthalidone
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
indapamide (generic Lozol)
spironolactone (generic Aldactone)
spironolactone/HCTZ (generic Aldactazide)
triamterene/HCTZ (generic Dyazide, Maxzide)
BETA BLOCKERS (Drugs to Treat High Blood Pressure)
atenolol (generic Tenormin)
labetalol (generic Trandate, Normodyne)
metoprolol (generic Lopressor)
nadolol (generic Corgard)
propranolol (generic Inderal)
ACE INHIBITORS (Drugs to Treat High Blood Pressure)
benazepril (generic Lotensin)
captopril (generic Capoten)
enalapril (generic Vasotec)
fosinopril (generic Monopril)
lisinopril (generic Zestril, Prinivil)
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE COMBINATIONS (Drugs to Treat High Blood Pressure)
atenolol/chlorthalidone (generic Tenoretic)
benazepril/HCTZ (generic Lotensin HCT)
bisoprolol/HCTZ (generic Ziac)
captopril/HCTZ (generic Capozide)
enalapril/HCTZ (generic Vaseretic)
lisinopril/HCTZ (generic Zestoretic, Prinzide)
metoprolol/HCTZ (generic Lopressor HCT)
propranolol/HCTZ (generic Inderide)
quinapril/HCTZ (generic Accuretic)
ORAL AGENTS FOR DIABETES (Drugs to Treat Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes)
glipizide (generic Glucotrol)
glipizide ER (generic Glucotrol XL)
glyburide (generic Micronase, Diabeta)
glyburide micronized (generic Glynase)
glyburide/metformin (generic Glucovance)
metformin (generic Glucophage)
metformin ER (generic Glucophage XR)
ANTIDEPRESSANTS (Drugs to Treat Depression)
bupropion (generic Wellbutrin)
bupropion ER (generic Wellbutrin SR)
citalopram (generic Celexa)
fluoxetine (generic Prozac)
mirtazapine (generic Remeron, Remeron SolTab)
nortriptyline (generic Pamelor)
paroxetine (generic Paxil)
trazodone (generic Desyrel)
LIPID-LOWERING AGENTS (Drugs to Treat High Cholesterol)
cholestyramine (generic Questran)
gemfibrozil (generic Lopid)
lovastatin (generic Mevacor)
About BCBSNC:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering
innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3
million members, including approximately 540,000 served on behalf of other
Blue Plans. The company offers its members the Blue Extras(SM) value-added
programs, which provide discounts and information on a wide variety of health-
related services at no additional cost. BCBSNC also offers life, dental, long-
term care and disability insurance products. For 71 years, the company has
served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and
has served the people of North Carolina through support of community
organizations, programs and events that promote good health. BCBSNC's HMO
product has earned Excellent Accreditation from the National Committee for
Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, not-for-profit organization
dedicated to improving the quality of health care. BCBSNC also has North
Carolina's first and only NCQA accredited PPO plan -- Blue Options(SM). Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online
at http://www.bcbsnc.com
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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
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Related links:
http://www.bcbsnc.com
CONTACT:
Mark Stinneford, +1-919-765-3745, or Michelle
Douglas, +1-919-765-2825, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
North Carolina
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