Michigan State University (MSU) is making a change to its prescription drug plan effective
May 1, 2018, for a subset of specialty medications.
A manufacturer’s voluntary copay assistance program will be available for specific specialty medications. Copays for those specific specialty medications will increase. However, the copay assistance program may offset this increase, resulting in the amount paid dropping to as low as $0 to $15, as an example.
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The program targets a subset of specialty medications and adjusts the copay to a higher amount. The drug manufacturer covers most of that amount by enrolling the patient in its assistance program. This generally results in a lower copay for the patient and lowers the cost MSU pays for that specific medication. If you participate in this program, your copay will not be greater than the current $50.
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Participation in this copay assistance program is voluntary. If members choose not to enroll, their copay for the specific specialty medication will remain at $50 for the rest of 2018.
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What Happens Next?
In April, CVS Caremark will send a letter to patients who have current prescriptions of the specialty medications where a copay assistance program exists. Patients who wish to enroll can do so online directly with the drug manufacturer of the specific medication or call CVS Caremark at 1-800-565-7105. A CVS pharmacist can help explain the copay assistance amount and can provide information on the enrollment process.
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Once enrolled, the patient will continue to fill prescriptions as usual.
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In the future, CVS Caremark will identify specialty medications that may qualify at the time the patient fills the prescription and will ask the patient if he/she wishes to enroll.
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Patients should continue to fill prescriptions for specialty medications as usual through the CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy or the CVS Specialty Pharmacy. If you have any additional questions you can call Customer Care at 1-800-565-7105.