YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members. In our latest post, we discuss what TELUS® Health Enhanced Generic Interchangeability is and how it benefits members of the Chambers Plan.
A partner in managing the Chamber Plan’s drug program is TELUS Health. They provide efficient processing, consistency of claims and develop polices to enhance sustainability for members.
One of these policies, which has a substantial impact by protecting the affordability of the drug plan, is the Health Enhanced Generic Interchangeability policy.
What is Generic Interchangeability?
Picture this. You and another person get prescribed the same drug. However, you are using the generic brand and they are using the brand name drug. They are a direct substitute of each other, so what is the difference?
Price. You paid less for the generic brand than they did for the brand name.
In most cases, when a generic brand is available over a brand name drug, the pharmacy is advised to substitute the generic drug.
This is Generic Interchangeability, which is a designation given to generic drugs that have been identified as a direct substitute for a brand name alternative. Not only are the same active ingredients shown in generic and brand name drugs, generic costs less.
One thing to note, is that the pharmacy is advised to substitute the generic drug and under the Chamber Plan, TELUS will reimburse the generic costs. This practice is not always followed by pharmacies, depending on the provincial drug rules. When you are prescribed a brand name drug, YXE Benefits encourages you to ask your pharmacist if a generic brand is available to cover your bases.
Most Chambers Plan Extended Health options include generic substitution for prescription drugs. What if your physician indicates there is no substitution on your prescription? Then the requested drug will be covered based on the brand name cost, as long as it is listed by TELUS.
At YXE Benefits, we encourage Plan members to speak to their healthcare providers about prescribing generic brand alternatives. This will reduce your expenses and contribute to the sustainability of their drug plan.
If you are interested in learning more about The Chamber Plan and how it could benefit you, contact us for a free quote or more information. Chambers Plan combines accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits so whether you are looking to start a benefits plan or make additions throughout the pandemic, we are here to help.
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