Empire
Plan Prescription Drug Program Update
On January 1, 2006, Empire Blue
Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Caremark replaced Cigna and Express Scripts as
vendors for the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program. The following information is current as of 1/5/06.
Empire BCBS/Caremark expected
to contract with most of the retail chain pharmacies and independent pharmacies
that were in the Empire Plan Pharmacy Network in 2005. If you have refills
remaining at a local, retail pharmacy, check with the pharmacy to make sure it
is in the network for 2006. If it is not in the network you would still be able
to use the pharmacy, but your benefits would be significantly reduced and you
would have to pay more out of pocket.
The first time you fill a
prescription at a retail pharmacy after January 1st, it may be
helpful to bring the following information:
Rx
Group: NYSTATE
Processor
Control Number: NYSTATE
Bank
Identification Number: 004336
If the pharmacist has trouble
submitting a claim to Caremark, there is a dedicated toll-free line for
pharmacists: 1-800-364-6331. If the
pharmacist incorrectly submits a claim to Express Scripts, s/he will receive a
message indicating the claim should be submitted to Caremark.
Mail
Service Pharmacy
If you previously used the
Express Scripts Mail Service Pharmacy and had refills remaining, your
prescription (except for compound drugs and controlled substances that will
require a new prescription) were automatically transferred to the Caremark Mail
Service Pharmacy as of January 1, 2006. The address for the Caremark Mail
Service Pharmacy is:
Caremark
P.O.
Box 3223
Wilkes-Barre,
PA 18773-3223
Caremark
Phone Numbers
Customer service
1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) Choose the Empire Plan Prescription Drug
Program on the main menu, then choose option 2.
Dedicated toll-free line for
doctors
1-877-727-7455
Toll-free fax line for
prescriptions
1-888-891-6334
Caremark
Website
As
of 1/1/06, Caremark’s website was not recognizing members’ alternate
identification number, which should have been loaded into their system. While
Caremark is working to resolve the problem, a temporary solution is available.
Members may register using their Social Security number, which the website will
recognize, and gain access to the site. For those who prefer not to use their
Social Security numbers, information posted on the website may be obtained by
calling the Empire Plan toll-free at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447).
Choose the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program on the main menu, then choose
option 2.
More detailed information about
the transition to Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield/Caremark is available in a
special Empire Plan Report which was mailed to all Empire Plan enrollees in
November. It is also posted on the Civil Service website www.cs.state.ny.us.
Click on the Employee Benefits link, then Publications and Forms. Under Current
Publications, choose the group PEF, then scroll down to select the Empire Plan
Special Report, November 2005.
If you need additional
assistance, please contact Health Benefits in Contract Administration at
1-800-342-4306 or 518-785-1900 ext. 283.