BlueChoice HealthPlan has a program called Generics Now to encourage our members to use generic drugs when filling their prescriptions.

Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs. They just cost less! This is because their manufacturers don't have to invest in years of costly research to develop them. Since they spend less money, the generic drugs cost less ... and you enjoy the savings! Buy generics and you'll have less out-of-pocket expenses. And your employer will have lower insurance costs, which helps keep your premiums and copayments as low as possible!

Please know that just because a drug is generic, that doesn't mean that it is any less effective or safe. For most medications, the only real difference is the cost.

Your benefits cover drugs at three levels — generic, preferred and non-preferred. This means that generic drugs are available at the lowest copayment. We cover preferred brand drugs on our prescription drug list at the middle copayment. Non-preferred medications are available at the highest copayment.

How does Generics Now work? Here's an example. Your doctor indicates on your prescription slip that you can have a generic drug for your treatment. The pharmacist will fill that prescription with a generic drug, if it's available. You'll enjoy the lowest copayment for this generic drug.

If a generic drug is available but you insist on a brand-name drug instead, you'll have to pay the preferred copayment, plus the price difference between the generic drug and the brand-name drug. At no time will you have to pay more than the retail price of the drug.

If you are a member and have any questions about this program, please log in to My Health Toolkit^® and click on the Ask Customer Service link. You can also go back to the Prescription Drug Information page.