Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts has announced that it is changing its pharmacy vendor from Merck/Medco to Effective, Express Scripts Inc. as of September 1. New identification cards are scheduled to be mailed to plan members enrolled in Blue Choice, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Out-of-State, Option 1, Medex and Managed Blue for Seniors within the last two weeks in August.
Also on September 1, Blue Cross will introduce a "nonpreferred" drug list which details prescription drugs excluded from coverage and covered alternatives for certain Blue Cross/Blue Shield products. Medex is the only plan that will not be subject to the "nonpreferred" or formulary list.
Blue Cross has directly informed members of these changes within the past two months so they can discuss them with their health care providers. Questions about the new pharmacy benefit manager or the formulary list change should be directed to Blue Cross at (800) 882-1093 or the Benefits Office at x3-6151.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on September 25, 1999.
