What You Should Know When You Need a Prescription in 2022

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are making improvements to prescription drug plans beginning Jan. 1, 2022, for members with pharmacy coverage through employer groups or the individual marketplace. These improvements will mean better value and more accessible prescriptions for members.

The first change you’ll notice is that members with pharmacy benefits will receive new member ID cards for 2022. You may have already received your new ID card. If not, it should arrive in the mail soon.

This ID card will have updated information on it that you’ll need to share with your pharmacy the first time you fill a prescription in 2022 so that your medication will be paid for correctly. Start using your new ID card at your pharmacy and all of your health care provider offices Jan. 1, 2022 (though only the pharmacy information on your card is changing).

You can also access your ID card digitally anytime through your online member account at bcbsm.com or on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan mobile app. Your digital ID card is always up to date. It will show your new information starting Jan. 1, 2022. This is a great option if your new ID card is delayed in the mail or if you’ve misplaced it.

New Home Delivery Pharmacy

For members with pharmacy benefits who receive prescriptions through the mail, OptumRx will be our new home delivery pharmacy Jan. 1, 2022.

If you receive any medications through our current home delivery pharmacy – Express Scripts – most prescriptions with remaining refills will automatically transfer to the OptumRx home delivery pharmacy. OptumRx will call you to set up your account and will send you a letter confirming your transferred prescriptions in January.

You’ll need a new prescription from your doctor to continue home delivery service for certain medications. You’ll need a new prescription if:

• There are no refills remaining on your prescription.
• Your prescription has expired.
• Your medicine is a controlled substance, which legally can’t be transferred. This includes some medicine to treat chronic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and seizure conditions. Check the label on your medicine bottle, the prescription insert from the pharmacy or your online member account to see if your medicine is a controlled substance.

You will receive letters through January with more details about home delivery service, transferred prescriptions and instructions for sending new prescriptions, which your doctor may also submit electronically for you.

Information for Medicare Members

For Medicare Advantage members, these prescription drug coverage improvements will take place Jan. 1, 2023. You’ll receive detailed updates next year.

However, if you’re a member with Medicare Supplemental (Medigap®) coverage, you will receive a new ID card in the mail for use beginning Jan. 1, 2022. This new card is being sent to you for your Affinity prescription drug discount program. Members with Medicare Supplemental coverage should continue to use their existing member ID card for all their covered health care services and prescription medication for the remainder of 2021 and 2022.

Learn More

If you have any questions about your pharmacy benefit coverage, please check your online member account at bcbsm.com for more information about your plan.

For more information about the upcoming changes to your pharmacy plan, visit bcbsm.com/rxchanges.

More from MIBluesPerspectives:

• Blue Cross Pharmacy Managing Costs Through New Partnerships
• How Your Insurance Company Can Help You Save Money on Prescriptions
• Everything You Need to Know About Drugs Covered by Insurance

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