Maintenance Medications

What is a maintenance medication?

Maintenance medications are those you take regularly to control ongoing conditions, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol levels
• Diabetes
• Asthma

Not sure if your prescription is a maintenance medication?

Call 1-800-555-3432 to speak with an Express Scripts patient care advocate.

Save Cash on Your Maintenance Medication by Understanding How Your Benefits Work

If your health benefits include a prescription co-pay, here’s what you need to know:

• You can fill your maintenance medications twice for the regular co-pay at a retail pharmacy.
• Starting with your third fill at a retail pharmacy (other than Walgreens or CVS), there will be a $10 co-pay penalty for many maintenance prescriptions. Of course, the penalty does not apply to preventive medications, such as statins, which the Affordable Care Act requires to be provided at no cost to you.
• Maintenance medications can be filled via Express Scripts home delivery. You’ll receive a discount for using mail order and will not be charged the $10 penalty. Set up automatic refills and you’ll never have to worry about running out of your medication!
• A 90-day supply of maintenance medications may be filled at any Walgreens or CVS location as well. You will not be charged the $10 co-pay penalty. Please refer to the Member Choice handout for additional information.
• Your co-pay will never be more than the cost of the drug.

If your health benefits include a deductible instead of a co-pay, here’s what you need to know:

• Maintenance medications can be filled via Express Scripts home delivery. You’ll receive a discount for using mail order. Set up automatic refills and you’ll never have to worry about running out of your medication!
• A 90-day supply of maintenance medications may be filled at any Walgreens or CVS location as well.

To always take advantage of the lowest cost option, Express Scripts offers a “Price a Medication” tool that will provide you the price transparency to select the lowest cost option with each fill.

Enjoy the safety and convenience of home delivery from the Express Scripts pharmacy. It’s easy to get started and your medicine is delivered right to your door about eight days after your prescription is received. Plus, delivery is free!

Filling your prescription at your neighborhood Walgreens or CVS is quick and easy. Simply ask your doctor to submit your 90-day prescription to the location of your choice or present your prescription along with your Express Scripts ID card in the store.