Participant Notification: 2023 Specialty Drug Costs, Exclusive Choice Pharmacies

NRECA is sending a letter on October 24 to NRECA Medical Plan participants in the non-high-deductible health plan (or “PPO plan”) who are currently prescribed specialty drugs, to inform them of changes to specialty drug costs coming in 2023.

Beginning January 1, 2023, participants will pay for 30% of the cost of the prescription, with a maximum of $100 for a generic specialty drug, $300 for a preferred brand specialty drug and $500 for a non-preferred brand specialty drug.

The letter will include information on the availability of copay assistance to help participants save money on specialty drug costs—99% of specialty drugs offer manufacturer copay assistance.

Information on 2023 specialty drug costs is also contained in annual enrollment materials in the BA Guide that you can use to educate your employees; annual enrollment runs October 17 – November 17. A handout, annual brochure and customizable PowerPoint presentation are available on the Annual Enrollment page, under “Educate.”

Exclusive Choice letter
During the week of October 17, CVS Caremark^®, NRECA’s pharmacy benefit manager, is sending a letter to NRECA Medical Plan participants who are not using an Exclusive Choice pharmacy to fill their maintenance prescriptions.

The letter will encourage the use of Exclusive Choice pharmacies to save money on prescription drugs and provide personalized pharmacy options based on the participant’s home address.

Exclusive Choice pharmacies include CVS (including inside Target stores), Walmart, Sam’s Club, The Medicine Shoppe and various independent pharmacies across the country. CVS Caremark Mail Service is also part of the Exclusive Choice network.

Participants can view the complete list of Exclusive Choice pharmacies on the NRECA Employee Benefits website: cooperative.com > My Benefits > My Insurance > Prescription Drug > Pharmacy Networks.