Microsoft word - statin targeted mailing final exc gt 2.2013.doc

A nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association February 2013

According to our records, you may be one of many Americans who take a statin prescription
medication to help lower your cholesterol level. Did you know that reaching your cholesterol goal may
be more affordable than ever? In fact, you may qualify for a free 30-day trial of simvastatin,
lovastatin or pravastatin.
If you take a brand-name statin cholesterol medication such as Advicor, Altoprev, Crestor,
Lescol,Lescol XL, Lipitor, Livalo, Mevacor, Pravachol, Vytorin or ocor , ask your
doctor if a generic medication is right for you.
Generic cholesterol medications simvastatin (generic Zocor), pravastatin (generic Pravachol),
atorvastatin (generic Lipitor) and lovastatin (generic Mevacor) have been proven safe and effective in
lowering cholesterol in most patients. Although there are no generic equivalents for Advicor,
Altoprev, Crestor, Lescol XL, Livalo, and Vytorin, simvastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin and lovastatin
are appropriate generic options.
When used at comparable doses, clinical studies demonstrate that all statin cholesterol medications
can provide similar results in lowering cholesterol.1 For example, 40mg of atorvastatin daily should
provide the same cholesterol-lowering effect as 10 mg of Crestor daily.
Switching to a generic cholesterol medication may save you money!
Lovastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin are all covered under your prescription drug
benefit as generic medications (lowest copayment/coinsurance amount). Whether you pay a
flat dollar copayment or a percentage of your medication costs through coinsurance, you may see significant savings when you switch to a generic cholesterol medication. In addition, you may be eligible for a free 30-day trial of simvastatin, pravastatin, or lovastatin under our Generic Trial Program. The Generic Trial Program gives you a free 30-day trial of selected generic medications. The first
time you fill a prescription for one of the generic cholesterol medications included in the program,
your copayment will be waived. All future prescriptions will be at the usual copayment amount.
How does the Generic Trial Program work?
 Ask your doctor to write a prescription for simvastatin, pravastatin or lovastatin.
 You are permitted only one free 30-day trial per medication within the program.  The cost of all refills and future prescriptions for the medication are your responsibility and will be at the usual generic copayment/coinsurance amount.
You may have the opportunity to save money by purchasing your prescriptions through our pharmacy
mail-service partner, PrimeMail. Check your prescription benefits to verify coverage and savings
through mail order. For more information about our mail-service pharmacy partner, contact
PrimeMail at 1-866-260-0487 or visit our website at excellusbcbs.com.
For more information about generics and our Generic Trial Program, visit our website at
excellusbcbs.com.
Always consult your doctor before making any medication changes. Before filling your next
prescription, ask your doctor if a generic cholesterol medication is right for you.
1. Drug Class Review HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) and Fixed-dose Combination Products Containing
a Statin Final Report Update 5 Nov 2009. Web address (accessed January 23, 2013): http://derp.ohsu.edu/final/Statins_final_report_update%205_unshaded_NOV_09.pdf

Source: http://brand.excellusbcbs.com/broker/downloads/Statin_Targeted_Mailing_FINAL_EXC_GT_2-2013.pdf