Have questions? We have answers.

Prescription Drugs

  1. Who is my Prescription Drug program administrator?

    CVS/caremark is the Prescription Drug administrator for all plans. CVS/caremark is a market leader in mail order, retail, and specialty pharmacy services.

  2. When I enroll, is prescription drug coverage a separate election?

    No. You are not required to make a separate election for prescription drug coverage. Your prescription drug coverage is part of your Medical Plan. When you select a Medical Plan option, you will also be enrolled for prescription drug coverage.

  3. Will I receive a separate prescription drug ID card?

    For 2025, all medical plan enrollees will receive a consolidated ID card with medical, pharmacy, and Collective Health contact information in late December. Additional ID cards can be ordered at bcbstx.collectivehealth.com and on the Collective Health app. Be sure that your home address in MyHR is correct.

  4. Do I need to show my ID card to the retail pharmacist?

    Yes. Make sure to show your ID card to your local retail pharmacist the first time you fill a prescription after receiving the card.

  5. How do I register at caremark.com?

    You will need the CVS/caremark ID card you receive in the mail. Go to caremark.com and look for the “Register Now” link. Registering only takes a few minutes and you will have a username and password to access all of your prescription information. If you need help, call 1-800-837-4092.

  6. Do I have to get my prescriptions filled at CVS stores?

    No. You are not required to fill your prescriptions at a CVS retail store. The CVS/caremark network includes more than 67,000 pharmacies, including Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, and others. To find an in-network pharmacy in your area, call 1-800-837-4092 or visit caremark.com.

  7. How do I fill my prescriptions?

    Choosing how to fill your prescription depends on whether you are ordering a short-term or long-term medication:

    • A short-term medication is generally taken for a limited period of time (usually 30 days or less) and with just one or two refills, such as an antibiotic. Prescriptions for short-term medications can be filled at any pharmacy in the CVS/caremark retail network.
    • A long-term medication is taken regularly for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes or high cholesterol. The Maintenance Choice feature lets you fill up to a 90-day supply of your long-term medications through the CVS/caremark Mail Service Pharmacy, or at a local CVS retail store. Note: If you would like to fill your 90-day prescription at a retail store, you must select a CVS location.
  8. Do I have to use mail-order for my long-term medications?

    No. With the CVS/caremark Maintenance Choice feature, you can fill up to a 90-day supply of your long-term medications at a local CVS retail store.

  9. What is Maintenance Choice?

    Maintenance Choice is a program that gives you flexibility in how and where you get your long-term maintenance medications. With Maintenance Choice, you can use the CVS/caremark Mail Service Pharmacy to have your medication sent directly to your home, or you have the convenience of getting your long-term medication at a CVS/caremark pharmacy at the mail-order cost.

  10. How do I start using CVS Mail Service Pharmacy?

    There are three ways to start using CVS/caremark Mail Service Pharmacy:

    1. Online: Log in to caremark.com. Once you provide the requested information, CVS/caremark will contact your doctor for a 90-day prescription.
    2. Mail: Ask your doctor for a 90-day prescription. Go to caremark.com and download the mail service order form. Send the completed form along with your prescription to the address provided on the form. A mail service order form will also be sent to you in your Welcome Kit.
    3. Phone: Call CVS/caremark at 1-800-837-4092.
  11. What do I pay for prescription drugs?

    Certain preventive medications you take on an ongoing basis are covered at 100% before the deductible is met. When filling all other prescriptions, depending on which Medical Plan option you choose and the type of prescription drug you are purchasing, you will either pay:

    • A copay, or
    • The full cost of the drug (at the CVS/caremark discounted rate), until you have met your deductible, and then you will pay your portion of the coinsurance.
    • You may also use your HSA or HCA card.
  12. Will I pay less for generic drugs?

    Yes. If you choose to purchase a brand-name drug instead of a generic alternative, you will be responsible for the difference in cost between the brand-name and the generic, in addition to the coinsurance. So generic drugs will cost less!

  13. How do I know if my medication qualifies as a preventive or preferred drug?

    Login to your individual account at caremark.com to view the most up-to-date drug list and check the cost of your drug.

  14. How do I make sure that I receive generic drugs so my costs are lower?

    Pharmacies will generally give you a generic drug, unless your doctor has asked for a specific brand-name drug. If your doctor has prescribed a brand-name drug (either preferred or non-preferred) when a generic is available, you will pay the difference in cost between the brand-name and generic drug.

  15. What if my doctor prescribes a brand-name drug instead of generic?

    To help you save money on prescription costs, ask your doctor if there is a generic alternative that would work for you. If a generic equivalent exists, but you are prescribed a brand-name drug (either preferred or non-preferred), you will have to pay the difference in cost between the brand-name drug and the generic drug.

  16. What if I try to fill my maintenance medications through my local retail pharmacy?

    You may fill maintenance medications up to two times at your local retail pharmacy. However, after the second fill, you’ll pay the entire cost of the drug if you continue filling at your local retail pharmacy instead of switching to the CVS/caremark Mail Service Pharmacy or CVS/caremark retail pharmacy.

  17. What is the ExtraCare® Health Card used for?

    The ExtraCare Health Card will provide you with a 20% discount on thousands of CVS/pharmacy brand health-related items, from cold and cough remedies and vitamins to first-aid supplies and nicotine replacement products.

  18. Are there other prescription drug programs that I need to learn about?

    Yes. Please see the Benefits Guide to learn about step therapy, prior authorization and drug quantity management.


These frequently asked questions (FAQs) provide only an overview of benefit changes and clarifications effective January 1, 2025. The respective plan documents and policies govern your rights. You should rely on this information only as a general summary of some of the features of the plans and policies. In the event of any difference between the information contained herein and the plan documents and policies, the plan documents and polices will supersede and control over these FAQs. The Partnership expressly reserves the right at any time and for any reason to amend, modify or terminate one or more of the plans or policies described in these FAQs.

NEED HELP? Need help icon

Retail Benefits Helpline
1-855-327-5910
7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Central time,
or email bac.retailbenefits@ajg.com


Collective Health
1-855-399-5599
bcbstx.collectivehealth.com

2025 Benefits Open Enrollment is closed.


If you have questions about your benefit elections, please contact the Retail Benefits Helpline at 1-855-327-5910, or email bac.retailbenefits@ajg.com.

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