New Rx

New Prescription Drug Administrator

July 31, 2000

Effective September 1, 2000, United Health Care (UHC) is changing the prescription drug program administrator for Airborne employees from Diversified Pharmaceutical Services (DPS) to PAID Prescription LLC, a subsidiary of Merck-Medco.

The Benefit Coverage is remaining the same and the Participating pharmacy network remains the same.

Who is affected?

All employees enrolled in the Enhanced PPO medical plan are affected. Only the claims administrator is changing.

What do I need to know?

Employees received new UHC identification cards in mid-August. Employees should make sure the address printed on their paychecks is their current mailing address. Employees should update any incorrect address information with their supervisor as soon as possible.

Starting September 1st employees should present their new UHC I.D. card to their participating pharmacy when they have a new prescription or need a refill on an existing prescription. The co-pay of $7 for generic and $15 for brand name drugs remains the same. To fill or refill a prescription before September 1st, employees must use the current UHC I.D. card.

What about the Mail Order program?

Starting September 1, Walgreens Mail Order program will change to the PAID Prescription mail order program. New prescription order forms will be sent to all employees with open prescriptions who are using the mail order program. These forms will also be available in the benefits forms bins or by calling the Benefits Department.

Open prescriptions with the Walgreens mail order program CANNOT be transferred to the new mail order administrator. Employees will need to obtain new prescriptions from their physicians. Employees should plan accordingly to ensure that they do not run out of medication. Remember you cannot refill prescriptions before the refill date that was provided with your order.

Why is this change being made?

This change is being made by United Health Care and affects all individuals nationwide covered by UHC. UHC is making this change to improve the administration process for prescription drugs. Most employees will not see or notice any difference except that their pharmacist will need to enter the new code printed on the UHC I.D. cards in the pharmacy computer starting September 1, 2000. Different employer groups with United Health Care are switching prescription administrators at different times. Airborne is changing September 1, 2000.

How do I obtain additional I.D. Cards (i.e. for children not living with the employee)?

UHC will be mailing two I.D. cards to everyone except employees enrolled in single coverage who will receive one card. If additional cards are needed, after you receive your new I.D. cards you should call UHC at 1-888-350-5607. Additional cards will be sent out promptly. In the meantime you should make a photocopy of your card and provide it to the parties that need the additional I.D. cards. The I.D. cards are not credit cards and only provide the information needed by the pharmacist to look you up in their computer system to verify your coverage and a photocopy will work for this purpose.

What if I can’t get my prescription filled?

United Health Care Pharmacy Customer Service is available to assist you 24 hours/7 days a week at 800-842-2038 or you can call the ABX Benefits Department for assistance during normal business hours at 1-800-736-3973 x2567.