Pilot Program Lowers the Cost of Generic Cholesterol-lowering Medications

Many members do not realize how important it is to take their medications as prescribed. For instance, when members who have high blood cholesterol do not take their medications correctly, they can endanger their health and increase the risk of heart disease.

Therefore, the State Health Plan is launching a cholesterol-lowering medication adherence program starting April 1, 2009 to encourage members to take their cholesterol medications consistently.

It has been documented that the high cost of prescriptions can be a barrier to taking cholesterol medications regularly, as prescribed. To address the cost barrier, this pilot program will lower the cost of all generic cholesterol-lowering medications. The new copay for all generic cholesterol-lowering medications will be $4 for a 1-month supply, or $10 for a 3-month supply. The lower copays will apply at any retail pharmacy of your choice in the State Health Plan network and Medco By Mail.

The generic cholesterol-lowering medications that will be included in the adherence pilot program include:

Generic Medication	Equivalent Name Brand
Cholestyramine/sucrose	Generic for Questran^®
Cholestyramine/aspartame	Generic for Questran Light^®
Colestipol 1g tablets & 5g packets	Generic for Colestid^®
Fenofibrate	Generic for Tricor^®
Gemfibrozil	Generic for Lopid^®
Lovastatin	Generic for Mevacor^®
Pravastatin	Generic for Pravachol^®
Simvastatin	Generic for Zocor^®

You can preview your potential savings. Simply click here for a flyer that compares the cost of various name brand cholesterol medications with possible generic alternatives.

For frequently asked questions regarding this pilot program, please click here.

If you have additional questions about this program, be sure to call Medco Member Services at 1-800-336-5933.

The State Health Plan believes that this important program will support you in taking your cholesterol-lowering medication as prescribed, and as affordably as possible.