Carpenters’ Health and Welfare Trust Fund of St. Louis
Carpenters’ Health and Welfare Trust Fund of St. Louis
Medicare Part D Retirees Remain with PharmaCare Through 12/31/2006
Special Note to Medicare Part D Retirees: If you have prescription drug coverage through the Carpenters’ Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, your benefits will continue to be provided through PharmaCare through December 31, 2006. More information will be mailed to Medicare Retirees later in the year.
Medicare HMO Retirees are not affected by this change.
Medco Prescription Drug Network Begins September 1, 2006
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ and Joiners of America (UBC) launched a nationwide plan in 2005 to help carpenters and their union health plans save money on prescription drugs without compromising quality. After many months of searching for a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) company that best satisfied their needs, the UBC selected Medco Health Solutions, Inc. We are pleased to announce that your St. Louis Carpenters’ Plan is moving to Medco effective September 1, 2006.
Carpenters’ is partnering with Medco to provide the best prescription drug coverage possible. Medco’s clinical experience and state-of-the-art technology will help you receive the right medications at the greatest savings possible. Here are some of Medco’s services you will find beneficial:
Here is some important information members need to know:
1) No Changes to Carpenters’ Plan Prescription
Drug Benefits
Prescription drug benefits and co-insurance remain the same at Medco. There are only minor changes to the clinical programs to help streamline access to prescriptions.
2) Medco Welcome Package Mailing
Welcome Packages from Medco were mailed to all eligible members on August 17th and 18th. This packet contains a Prescription Drug Benefit Handbook with complete information and your Medco prescription drug ID cards. Please be sure to present your Medco prescription drug ID card to your pharmacist when filling prescriptions as of September 1, 2006. (The new Medco ID Card only replaces your old prescription drug ID card. You must keep your CMR Medical Plan ID Card.)
3) Mail-Order Prescription Refills Transferring to Medco By Mail
Your current mail-order prescription refills will be transferred to Medco By Mail on September 1, 2006. (This does not include controlled substances or compound medications.) In most cases, it should not be necessary to obtain a new prescription from your doctor. Your Medco Welcome Package will also contain instructions for submitting new prescriptions and transferring mail-order refills to Medco By
Mail. Beginning on September 1, 2006, please contact Medco Member Services, who can answer any questions that you may have regarding your specific medications.
Special Note Regarding MedScript: Medco By Mail will provide mail order services for members at the greatest discount. However, MedScript is available as a retail pharmacy, so members can obtain up to a 90-day supply of their prescriptions at MedScript.
4) The Medco Website Provides Member Services Anytime Through the Internet
Effective September 1, 2006, you will be able to access all the convenient, time-saving services Medco’s website offers by visiting www.medco.com. A one-time registration must be done. You can compare brand-name and generic drug prices, submit mail-order refills, and more by accessing this site.
5) Medco Member Services Provides Telephone Customer Service 24 Hours a Day
If you have any questions about your prescription drug benefit, please call Medco Member Services toll-free at 1 800 939-2134. Please note this phone line is not active until September 1, 2006.
6) Carpenters’ Member Services Department
As always, you may also contact the Carpenters’ Member Services Department at (314) 644-4802 or toll free (877) 232-3863. We are prepared to help meet your prescription drug needs.