CWA 1180 - News

Coverage changes for asthma, psychotropic meds
September 2005

In April, the City of New York and the Municipal Labor Committee struck a deal that provides a short-term fix for the health benefits program, which had been running short on cash due to the high cost of prescription drugs. In the May/June Communique we reported on part of the new deal; the remaining details have now been ironed out.

Effective July 1, 2005, responsibility for psychotropic and asthma medications will revert to union benefit funds or optional health plan riders. The chemotherapy and injectable drugs will continue to be provided through the basic GHI plan or the Stabilization Fund.

Some costs to members will increase. Co-payments for a 30-day supply of psychotropic or asthma drugs will rise to $10 for generics and $25 for brand name drugs. Co-payments for a 90-day supply of drugs obtained by mail-order will be $20 for generics and $50 for brand name drugs. As the Communique reported earlier, co-payments for a 30-day supply of injectable and chemotherapy medications will rise to $10 for generic drugs, $25 for preferred brands, and $45 for non-preferred brands. Mail-order fulfillment for injectable and chemotherapy drugs will continue to be mandatory after the second fill at the pharmacy, with mail co-payments for a 90-day supply costing double the 30-day retail amount.

On July 1, 2005, a $100 annual deductible went into effect for psychotropic and asthma drugs, which will be pro-rated to $50 through December 31, 2005. An annual deductible of $100 per person for injectable and chemo drugs takes effect January 1, 2006.

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