New Prescription Drug Card Program

WHO?

Effective July 1, 1998, a prescription drug card program will replace the current prescription coverage offered under the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSD) and Principal Health Care of Delaware (PHCD) plans. ValueRx will administer prescription b enefits for University health plans. ValueRx is a Prescription Benefit Management organization serving more than 17 million participants across the United States.

WHY?

Consolidating prescription benefits under one vendor will provide quality, cost-effective prescription services for University health-care participants.

WHAT?

In addition to ValueRx's nationwide open pharmacy network, which consists of more than 50,000 participating pharmacies, subscribers will now have access to a mail service program at discount prices. This program will allow employees to purchase-for as lit tle as a $15 co-payment-a 90-day supply of maintenance medications.

HOW?

No matter which plan you are enrolled in (Comprehensive, BlueCARE or Principal Health Care), you will receive a ValueRx prescription card in late June for pharmacy services. (Note that prescriptions are not a covered service for BCBSD Basic Plan participa nts.) You MUST show this card to participating pharmacies after July 1 to have any prescriptions filled. After July 1, you cannot use any previously issued cards (including the Independent Practice Association Plan PCS card) for prescriptions.

• Comprehensive subscribers will see a major enhancement to their benefits after July 1: Prescriptions will no longer be subject to the annual plan deductible and, more importantly, the cost of retail prescriptions will be just 20 percent at the time o f purchase. In other words, you will no longer pay the full cost of the medication and submit claims for reimbursement.

• When using their prescription cards, BlueCARE (formerly HMO & IPA) and Principal Health Care participants will continue to pay either a $5 or 25 percent co-payment, whichever is greater.