Make the most of your prescription drug benefits

As a reminder, at the beginning of 2018 JHU introduced new prescription drug programs through Express Scripts to help you get the right prescription at the best price. These include:

Mandatory generics (for existing and newly filled prescriptions). You may pay more if you purchase a brand medicine when a generic-equivalent drug is available; you will pay the generic co-pay plus the difference in cost between it and the brand drug.

Prior authorization (applies to new prescriptions in certain drug categories). Some medications will require prior authorization, or review and approval, before the plan will cover the cost. This is to ensure that the medication you receive is safe and effective for your situation.

Step therapy (applies to new prescriptions in certain drug categories). Step therapy requires you to try lower-cost (often generic) medications before "stepping up" to medications that cost more. If your medication requires step therapy, you will be obligated to try a step-one medication before a step-two (or step-three) medication.

Quantity limitations (for existing and newly filled prescriptions). All medications will be subject to quantity limitations as determined by the FDA. If your treatment exceeds the quantity limitation of your drug, your prescription will require further authorization.

To save on your out-of-pocket costs, it's important to take advantage of the resources and tools available to help you get the right medication at the best price. To get started:

• Talk to your doctor to see whether a generic equivalent is available for your brand name medication.
• Visit Express Scripts online for a list of prescription drugs.
• Download the Express Scripts app on your smartphone to view generic prescriptions, refill or renew your mail-order prescriptions, or see your current medications.