Lower Your Prescription Costs

Participating in a prescription drug plan  is one way to help cut your pharmacy costs and make getting your medications easier.

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Learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield prescription drug coverage.

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What Is a Prescription Drug Plan?

Prescription drug plans are commercial health insurance plans that help lower prescription costs in exchange for a monthly payment. These supplemental plans cover prescriptions only. If you have an individual health plan that doesn't provide enough prescription coverage, you can purchase an individual prescription drug plan for added support.

How Prescription Drug Plans Can Help You Save

The simplest way these plans help you save money is by covering most of your medication costs. However, some plans may require you to pay a small copay (a flat fee) for your medications.

More Ways to Save
More Ways to Save
Use medications on the plan’s drug list (also called a formulary)	Medications covered by your plan are listed in your plan's formulary, which is a list of medications your prescription drug benefits cover. Most common medications are included in drug plan formularies. If a specific medication isn't covered, your doctor may be able to substitute a generic drug (another brand of drug designed to treat the same condition). Some plans may offer a preferred drug list that offers even more savings on generic drugs and certain brands of medications. Generic drugs cost up to 80% less than their brand-name counterparts and are made with the same active ingredients. Ask your doctor if any prescription medications you are currently taking can be filled with a generic alternative.
Use your plan's preferred pharmacy	A preferred pharmacy has an agreement with your prescription drug plan provider to offer medications at a lower out-of-pocket cost. The CareFirst Preferred Drug List identifies generic and preferred brand drugs that may save you money. Review our Preferred Drug List (also referred to as Abridged Exchange Formulary).
Use mail delivery	Convenient services like mail delivery can help you get your medications if you’re sick, injured or without transportation. It can help you save on maintenance medications (drugs taken daily to treat chronic conditions like high cholesterol). You can get up to a three-month supply of your medications for the cost of two copays.
Take advantage of your pharmacy rewards programs	Earn rewards for most purchases at major pharmacy chains (CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid) and redeem those rewards for savings on prescription drugs.
If you have one, use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)	These accounts help you use pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including prescription and some over-the-counter drugs.
Use discount programs like RxSaver and HoyMed	Save on medications not listed on your formulary or out-of-pocket coinsurance. You may qualify for a rebate through the drug manufacturer for expensive, brand-name drugs with no generic version.

Combining these options with a prescription drug plan can help maximize medication and pharmacy savings. Learn more about prescription drug plans with CareFirst.