Rx for Better Health offers members access to 75 generic drugs at no cost for six months PHILADELPHIA, June 19
PHILADELPHIA, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will
waive copays and coinsurance on 75 generic drugs that are used to treat common
chronic conditions. Rx for Better Health is a member incentive program
designed to help our members become more actively involved in their health
care. The program will help educate members on the benefits of following
prescribed treatment plans for their illnesses, and on the benefits of generic
prescription drugs.
Rx for Better Health begins July 1, 2008, and ends December 31, 2008, and
waives copays on 75 generic drugs that are commonly used to treat chronic
conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes,
depression, acid reflux, heart failure and heart disease. The program is
administered by IBC's pharmacy benefit manager, FutureScripts(R), and a
complete list of drugs included in this program is available at
http://www.ibx.com.
Approximately 78 percent of all health care costs in Pennsylvania can be
traced to the 20 percent of patients living with chronic disease(1). However,
only 56 percent of these Pennsylvanians receive the care they need(2). As a
result, hospitals report billions of dollars in charges for hospitalizations
that may have been avoided if patients with chronic health conditions had
received necessary preventive care. And, Pennsylvanians suffer unnecessarily
in many cases that could have been avoided through appropriate use of
prescription drugs.
"Our goal is to help members with chronic conditions maintain the best
possible health so they can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and steer clear of
visits to the emergency room, and unnecessary hospitalizations," said Joseph
A. Frick, president and CEO of IBC. "We want to empower our members to become
informed consumers of health care by offering tools and incentives like this
program. We're seeing a growing trend that as members get more involved in
their health care, they are motivated to maintain their wellness."
"Chronic conditions, left unattended, can lead to poor health and
significant costs for everyone -- our members, employers, and the community,"
said I. Steven Udvarhelyi, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for IBC. "Consistent
use of prescribed drug therapy plays a significant role in managing chronic
conditions. By waiving the copays on many medications used for chronic
conditions, we hope to encourage members to take prescribed medications and
take a more active role toward maintaining better health," Dr. Udvarhelyi
added.
The greater adherence members have in taking their drug therapy, the
greater chance complications from chronic conditions can be avoided, resulting
in improved quality and cost savings that can have a positive effect on the
bottom line of employers. Increased use of generic drugs lowers prescription
drug expenses for everyone, so there is a further reduction in the rate of
increased medical costs.
"Rx for Better Health builds on the success and popularity of No Pay
Copay, the generic education program that waived copays for IBC members on all
generic prescriptions throughout 2007," Frick said. "We have been pleased to
see that our members' generic utilization increased from approximately 47
percent at the beginning of that program, to 62 percent currently."
John Janthor, an IBC member from Bucks County, has discovered the benefit
of staying healthy by using generics. "My doctor switched me from a brand
name drug to simvastatin last year during IBC's No Pay Copay program, and I've
been pleased to find that my cholesterol level was controlled with equal
effectiveness by the generic," Janthor explained. Janthor and his wife
Maureen were happy to learn that through Rx for Better Health, they would be
able to get simvastatin at no cost through the end of the year. "With two
kids to put through college, every little bit of savings helps," Janthor
added.
"We understand consumers' growing concern about the rising costs of
maintaining their health," said Paul Urick, R.Ph, senior vice president for
FutureScripts(R), the pharmacy benefit manager administering Rx for Better
Health. "By helping members see the cost-saving benefits of generics, we are
educating them on how to save on their own out-of-pocket costs over the long
run, while, even more importantly, staying healthy," he added.
"We encourage individuals who currently take brand name medications to
continue as prescribed by their doctor, but in some cases, more cost-effective
generic options are available," said Dr. Udvarhelyi. "We suggest that a
dialogue between patients and their doctors is the best way to determine if a
generic is a suitable fit for a particular condition."
The 75 generic prescription drugs for which IBC will waive copays were
chosen because they are used to treat illnesses that significantly affect
IBC's population and which proven clinical studies have indicated there is a
tremendous opportunity for improved health among patients. The studies used
to develop Rx for Better Health show that when prescribed, consistent use of
these 75 drugs improves overall health and reduces the risk of more serious,
and in some cases life-threatening, complications.
Generics meet the same health and safety standards set by the Food and
Drug Administration, but have much lower development and marketing costs than
their brand name equivalents, making them more cost-effective options. Even
if a member's brand name drug is not currently available in generic form,
there may be a generic drug that can effectively treat their condition with
different active ingredients. These are known as generic therapeutic
alternatives and members need to talk to their doctors about getting a new
prescription to make this switch.
IBC offers other services specifically for members with chronic
conditions, such as Health Coaches, website tools, and online health
assessments. These services can help members make the most of their
discussions with their doctors, and maximize the benefits of their health care
plans.
No enrollment is necessary to participate in Rx for Better Health.
Program applies to in-store pickup at participating FutureScripts(R)
pharmacies or mail-order fulfillment. Members with Medicare Part D drug
plans, Personal Choice(R) HSA-Qualified plans with integrated drug coverage,
and Federal Employee Health Benefits Program members are not eligible for the
program. Other exclusions may apply.
(1) Presentation of Michael Bailit on the Chronic Care Model, March 22,
2006.
(2) Dr. Elizabeth A. McGlynn and Dr. Steven M. Asch, et al., The Quality
of Health Care Delivered to Adults in the United States, The New England
Journal of Medicine, Vol. 348.
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in Southeastern
Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million
people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health
care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and
health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee
of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information visit us at
http://www.ibx.com.
SOURCE Independence Blue Cross
