PharmaCare Tie-in for Prescription Drugs Now Deferred to June 1, 2013

Effective immediately, implementation of the PharmaCare Tie-in for prescription drug coverage is delayed until June 1, 2013.

This restores prior drug coverage until June 1 for members covered under the NBA agreement and allows further time to resolve issues.

The delayed implementation date of June 1 will also apply to members in the FBA and our negotiations led to the same offer being made to HSPBA members as well.

Your direct-pay BlueNet card for prescription medications eligible under the previous plan will be reinstated as quickly as possible.

The deferral to June 1 resulted from emergency negotiations between BCNU and HEABC. BCNU insisted the tie-in be delayed after numerous disparities arose between drug coverage negotiated with the employer and what was actually being provided to members under the plan.

Issues that BCNU continues to address through negotiations include the denial of coverage for brand name drugs or generic equivalents that HEABC agreed would be covered under PharmaCare and the inadequate phase-in time for obtaining Special Authority from PharmaCare where necessary.

BCNU members taking a drug not automatically covered by PharmaCare should work closely with their specialist and pharmacist to identify suitable replacements well in advance of the June 1 start date. Completing the steps to get special authority for a prescription can take some time.

HEABC has also agreed it will honour any claims arising as a result of coverage denied after the February 1st switch to the PharmaCare Tie-in. Receipts should be submitted using the form at http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/Corp/members/forms/

If you have questions about the PharmaCare Tie-in or wish to report problems you are encountering, please contact BCNU at 604-433-2268 or toll free at 1-800-663-9991 or email pharmacare@bcnu.org.

If you have questions specifically related to your coverage, please contact Pacific Blue Cross at 604-419-2600.