New Prescription Drug Benefit

The Trustees have added the ESI Canada Dynamic Therapeutic Formulary (DTF) to Flex Plans 1, 2, and 3. The drug coverage under the Standard Plan will remain the same.

Beginning September 1, 2008, your drug coverage in the Flex Plans will be based on a list of drugs that are reimbursed at a higher level than other drugs available under the plan. This drug list is called a formulary. Formularies have been used for years by provincial government drug programs and in most Canadian hospitals to manage costs. The DTF includes a list of generic drugs that are clinically effective and affordable drugs used to treat most medical conditions. Where there is a generic drug that is considered interchangeable with the brand name drug, only the cost of the generic will be reimbursed.

To find out if a drug is on the DTF, go online at http://www.manulife.ca/groupbenefits/DTF and talk to your doctor. The DTF is not meant to replace your doctor’s best advice. Ultimately, it is up to the participant to work with their doctor to select a drug that will treat their condition, while also factoring lifestyle and DTF coverage into the treatment plan.

A Drug Plan Option is available for schools that want to continue the current drug coverage for their employees. Rates are listed in the Benefit Options section of the rate sheet. More information regarding the DTF will be sent with your enrolment package.

Full Issue: No. 318 - May 27, 2008

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