### What prescriptions do health plans cover? Not all health plans cover the same prescription drugs. Your health plan has a list of all the drugs it covers, called a formulary. If you need a drug your plan doesn’t cover, you will have to pay more — possibly the full price — out of your own pocket. You may also have to share the cost of some covered drugs with your plan. How much you pay depends on the type of drug and the tier the drug is in. Where you get your prescriptions filled can also affect how much you pay for drugs. Use a pharmacy that's in your plan network to get the highest level of coverage. ### View covered drugs Log in to your member account to find medicines in your covered drug list and pharmacies in your network. [Log in](https://identity.bluecrossmn.com/u/login?state=hKFo2SBIYVFOYmRRNnJQbXFMNTZMRmZmUnpYMUh4cjc2b3FkaqFur3VuaXZlcnNhbC1sb2dpbqN0aWTZIDg5WjVSRGhpdnRGdjJIekNwTTlzb1I4ZHBfZEpTOHpUo2NpZNkgcDZ2elJyNHBQRUFvWkM4d0NVQWNMU3VNSHU2OEJKMm4) ## Drug types ## Prescription drug types and tiers Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus health plans usually group covered drugs into numbered tiers, which vary by plan. Generally, the lower the tier number, the less you will pay for your drugs. Each tier includes different types of drugs. **Below are examples of tiers and types of drugs you might see in your plan materials:** ### Tier 1: Preferred generic drugs Generic drugs have the same active ingredients and work the same way as the brand-name drugs they copy. They usually cost less than the brand-name versions. ### Tier 2: Non-preferred generic drugs You will pay more for these generic drugs than for preferred generic drugs. ### Tier 3: Preferred brand drugs These drugs are included in a plan’s list of covered drugs and may not have a generic version. They cost more than generic drugs but less than non-preferred brand drugs. ### Tier 4: Non-preferred brand drugs You will pay more for these drugs than for preferred brand drugs. You may be able to get a generic drug instead that will cost you less. ### Tier 5: Specialty drugs These drugs are used to treat ongoing health conditions and can be costly. They often require special handling and may have to be ordered through a specialty pharmacy. ## How to save ## How to save on prescription drugs Prescription drugs can be costly even when they’re covered by your health plan. **Here’s how you can save money without putting your health at risk:** **Start with generic** If your medication is available as a generic, try that first. **Check your plan's covered drug list** If your drugs aren’t listed, ask your doctor for a similar drug your plan will cover. Covered drug lists (Formularies) can change throughout the year. **Find a pharmacy in your plan network** You’ll pay more for prescriptions you have filled at pharmacies that are not preferred or in your network. Check with your plan to find an in-network pharmacy near your home or work. [Log in to your member account](https://identity.bluecrossmn.com/u/login?state=hKFo2SBIYVFOYmRRNnJQbXFMNTZMRmZmUnpYMUh4cjc2b3FkaqFur3VuaXZlcnNhbC1sb2dpbqN0aWTZIDg5WjVSRGhpdnRGdjJIekNwTTlzb1I4ZHBfZEpTOHpUo2NpZNkgcDZ2elJyNHBQRUFvWkM4d0NVQWNMU3VNSHU2OEJKMm4) for direct access to your covered drug and pharmacy directories. **Use a prescription delivery service** You may be able to save money using a mail order pharmacy for medications you take for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Your prescription drugs will be sent directly to you by mail. [Learn about the prescription delivery](/understanding-health-insurance/prescription-drugs/prescription-delivery-service "Prescription delivery service") **Talk with your doctor** If you find it difficult to manage the cost of your prescription drugs, ask your doctor about alternative medications that may cost less. **Take medicine as directed** Taking your drugs only half the time or taking just half the dose to save money can put your health at risk and lead to bigger bills down the road. **Free Contour®Next portfolio meter** As part of our commitment to your health, we are offering you a choice of blood glucose meters at no charge. [Follow these steps to get your free meter](https://bluecrossmn.widen.net/content/huoggwyvhs/original/prime-therapeutics-contour-coupon.pdf "prime-therapeutics-contour-coupon.pdf") ## Drug programs ## Prescription drug programs Your health plan may have programs in place to help control costs and ensure the safe use of prescription drugs. **These programs may include:** ### Step therapy With this program, your plan requires your doctor to first prescribe a safe, lower-cost drug before stepping up to a drug that may be newer or more costly. [Learn about step therapy](/understanding-health-insurance/prescription-drugs/step-therapy-drug-program) ### Prior authorization To ensure safe and appropriate use, some drugs must be approved by your health plan before they will be covered. [Learn about prior authorization](/understanding-health-insurance/prescription-drugs/prior-authorization-prescription-drugs) ### Quantity limits This program promotes safe use and automatically limits how often you can get a drug filled or how much you can get at one time. [Learn about quantity limits](/understanding-health-insurance/prescription-drugs/quantity-limits-drug-program) ### IntegratedRx Your pharmacy benefit provides access to convenient pharmacy options, allowing your prescribed oral cancer drug(s) to be filled at local participating pharmacies that are part of clinics, hospitals and/or health systems. This enables you to pick up your prescription in-clinic. If one of these new participating pharmacies is more convenient for you, ask your prescriber about moving your prescription. [View IntegratedRx pharmacy list](https://www.myprime.com/content/dam/prime/memberportal/WebDocs/Other/Misc/BCBSMN/Commercial/IntegratedRx_Oncology_ProviderList.pdf) ## We're here to help SVG .cls-1 { fill: none; stroke: #231f20; stroke-linecap: square; stroke-miterlimit: 10; stroke-width: 2px; } Speak with a Blue Cross representative **1-800-262-0823** (TTY 7**11**) SVG .cls-1 { fill: none; stroke: #231f20; stroke-linecap: square; stroke-miterlimit: 10; stroke-width: 2px; } [Connect with a Blue Cross Advisor](/our-plans/blue-cross-advisors "Blue Cross Advisors") SVG .cls-1, .cls-2 { fill: none; stroke: #231f20; stroke-miterlimit: 10; stroke-width: 2px; } .cls-2 { stroke-linecap: square; } Contact your agent or find one near you: [Find an agent](https://agentfinder.bluecrossmn.com/)