State employee union members have new pharmacy benefits manager starting July 1; Register to give authorization to CatalystRx

July 3, 2007 - OCSEA wants to remind union members that it's important to complete the new pharmacy benefits manager's registration form.

CatalystRx, a prescription benefit management company, took over from Medco on July 1.

In addition to updating your personal information, this step will ensure that CatalystRx is authorized to send and receive information about your prescriptions and has authorization for credit card transactions, etc.

Employees may also register by going online to www.catalystrx.com, sign in using their identification number and date of birth and then choose the “mail order refills” option and follow the prompts to register.

All employees will have the same program, network and formulary.

MORE CHOICES  Previously, Aetna, United Health Care, Medical Mutual and The Health Plan all had different pharmacy benefits managers.

For example, under the Medco plan, Walgreens and CVS were not available. With the switch, both are now a part of the new CatalystRx PBM network as well as more pharmacies.

The union and the state's re-bid of the pharmacy contract will save money that, hopefully, can be used to stave off or reduce future health care increases, according to OCSEA's Director of Administrative Services and Health Care Policy.

Preferred brands  If you are currently taking a medication that is not on the CatalystRx formulary list, you can continue taking that medication at the current co-pay through Dec. 31, 2007.

Check out the Catalyst Preferred Drug List - 2007 Formulary (PDF).

After that you will be required to either switch brands (in consulatation with your physician) or pay the higher, non-formulary brand co-pay.

Mail order prescriptions that are still active will be transferred to the new mail order provider so you will not be required to obtain a new prescription if you have refills remaining on your current prescription.

CUSTOMER SERVICE  Anytime there is a change in vendor for a group as large as the State, there could be implementation problems.

OCSEA members are advised to keep the Catalyst Rx and DAS customer service numbers on hand in case of questions or concerns. Contact CatalystRx at 1-866-854-8850 or DAS at 1-800-409-1205.

If your issues remain unresolved, please do not hesitate to call OCSEA Health Care Policy staff. Contact Karen Brown at kbrown@ocsea.org or 1-800-969-4702, ext. 4718.

See Related

Ohio DAS - Pharmacy Benefits

Catalyst Preferred Drug List - 2007 Formulary (PDF)