Express Scripts new formulary for 2006 - High Cholesterol Message Board

momcat1 · 11-06-2005, 12:20 PM

I felt that I should let people know what I found out this month when I went to order my mail order scripts. My insurance uses Express Scripts, who I also know administers many health coverages nationwide. The new formulary list for 1/1/06 was there so I downloaded and read it. Lipitor is coming off the formulary, but some of the other brands will still be on. My doc tells me the others are not close enough in formula to give the same effect, so I really don't understand why Express Scripts would remove it. Lovastatin, Crestor, Vytorin, Zocor will be allowed.

You might want to check your coverage. This formulary affects both local drug stores as well as mail order.

HELLASRULES · 11-06-2005, 12:44 PM

Thanks for the tip Momcat1,
I have Express scripts thru my insurance, too. I don't use lipitor, but will check the list for the other drugs I use.
Don't know why they always change these things on us. IT's affected my BP meds in the past. Guess name brands are too pricey for them to keep covering.
Thanks again for the info.

momcat1 · 11-06-2005, 03:19 PM

Sure thing, glad to be of help. I don't know if the BCBS formulary that I use is the same for all the other plans, but I do know that government programs also use Express Scripts. I'm trying to find another way to get the word out, cause this is just plain silly!

On a related note, my BP med is also coming off, Avapro, and replaced with Cozaar and Diovan. When I checked the cash prices, Avarpo is markedly less expensive than the others, which makes no sense. But my doc said the other two in that case were relatively interchangeable. I sure hope so cause when he started me on Avapro, I remember going through 4 others and finding out my body could not tolerate them.

I really can't afford to have to pay cash for the meds. That's why I'm paying premiums to have medical coverage, just like a lot of people. Did Express Scripts even think before making these changes? I doubt it.

JJ · 11-07-2005, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momcat1

Sure thing, glad to be of help. I don't know if the BCBS formulary that I use is the same for all the other plans, but I do know that government programs also use Express Scripts. I'm trying to find another way to get the word out, cause this is just plain silly!

On a related note, my BP med is also coming off, Avapro, and replaced with Cozaar and Diovan. When I checked the cash prices, Avarpo is markedly less expensive than the others, which makes no sense. But my doc said the other two in that case were relatively interchangeable. I sure hope so cause when he started me on Avapro, I remember going through 4 others and finding out my body could not tolerate them.

I really can't afford to have to pay cash for the meds. That's why I'm paying premiums to have medical coverage, just like a lot of people. Did Express Scripts even think before making these changes? I doubt it.

Well I have BC/BS and I have been on Avapro for the past 9 months, so they had best be covered, as they are darn expensive. My husband goes to the VA so his meds come in the mail, I will definitely have to check to see if they use Express Scripts. Geez, can they screw the public anymore then they already do?..................

Thanx for the heads up, I am definitely going to a see if we will be affected.

Tobias · 11-07-2005, 10:08 AM

My HMO also offers the use of Express Scripts for mail order of 90-day supplies of maintenance meds such as statins. However, I am under the impression that it is the HMO or insurance carrier that dictates the formulary, not Express Scripts, whose job it is to administer whatever the ins. co specifies.
Am I wrong here?