FEP promotes generic Rxs; no co-pay for first four mail orders

The USA's Blue Cross and Blue Shield government-wide Service Benefit Plan (Federal Employee Program) will waive Standard Option members' first four mail order generic drug co-pays as part of their 2009 benefits package, says the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA).

To further encourage federal employees to use generic medicines, all 2009 Standard Option member mail order generic co-pays, after the first four prescriptions, are unchanged from 2008. Additionally, members will save 5% on co-insurance costs for generic drugs purchased from retail outlets as compared to last year.

According to Jena Estes, vice president of FEP, BCBSA, "these benefits will help FEP Standard Option members reap the cost-saving benefits of generic prescriptions. Generic medications offer the equivalent effectiveness as brand-name prescriptions, but at a much lower cost."