These three rules are designed to make prescription drugs more affordable for all of us.
- Generics are the first choice.
Your prescription will be filled with a generic if available. If your doctor doesn’t allow or if you don’t choose a generic substitution, you’ll pay a brand penalty. So always talk to your doctor about generic alternatives and make sure the “Dispense as Written” box on your prescription isn’t checked.
- Choose the low-cost treatment first.
With some brand name medications, you’re required to try lower-cost alternatives first. If this is the case, the pharmacist will contact your doctor and request a new prescription. If the alternative does not work for you, your doctor can ask to have the original brand name drug covered by the plan.
- Get your maintenance drugs in a 90-day supply.
For new maintenance drugs, you can fill two 30-day supplies from a retail pharmacy. After that, you’ll be asked to get 90-day supplies from CVS Caremark Mail Order or a local CVS pharmacy.
