Prescription Drug Program

Aetna's Digital Care Tool provides drug cost estimates based on the selected UVA Health Plan option. Use the links below to compare prices between the UVA Health Plan options.

1. Click on your health plan option:
   • Basic Health
   • Value Health
   • Choice Health
2. Enter the name of the drug.
3. Click "search" to view the estimate and plan details.
4. Find Care and Pricing - As of 1/1/21, you can also use the “Find Care and Pricing” tool on Aetna’s website. Sign onto the Aetna member website for access to this tool.

When using the Digital Care Tool, review the Aetna formulary list as your drug may be listed using the generic name within the tool. The Digital Care Tool are cost estimates and based on Aetna's 2020 formulary and pricing. 

The Aetna Pharmacy Benefits is part of your UVA Health Plan and therefore has the same eligibility requirements. Premiums for the Health Plan include prescription drug benefits. See the UVA Health Plan webpage for premiums and eligibility details.

The new Aetna prescription benefit reduces the cost-sharing for generic and preferred brand insulin, diabetic drugs, and diabetic supplies for participants. 

• Generic and preferred brand diabetic drugs, insulin, and supplies are subject to the following special cost-share amounts for all health plan options: 
  • 30-day supply generic - $0
  • 30-day supply preferred brand - $34
  • 90-day supply generic through Maintenance Choice - $0
  • 90-day supply preferred brand through Maintenance Choice - $75
  • All non-preferred brand diabetic drugs, insulin, and supplies are subject to standard non-preferred cost-share amounts
• Each member with diabetes is eligible for one free Glucometer and an upgrade annually
• Insulin pumps are added to the pharmacy benefit; medical coverage does not change

Vaccines

Several seasonal and preventive vaccines have been added to the new pharmacy benefit at no cost. See the Vaccines Covered by the Aetna Pharmacy Benefit List for covered vaccines.

Affordable Care Act

Contraceptive drugs and over-the-counter preventive items mandated by the Affordable Care Act are covered at no cost to employees. The ACA Preventive Care Drug List shows some items that are available at no member cost share with a prescription (including over-the-counter medications).

Preventive Medications

Medications on the Preventive Medication List are applicable to Choice, Value and Basic Health options; drugs on this list are not subject to the deductible, just pay your copay or coinsurance.

For further information about preventive care, please visit the UVA HR Preventive Care webpage.

• Prescription vitamins are now included in the Aetna formulary
• Compounded medications are limited to $100; claims above the dollar limit threshold require prior authorization
• Specialty Drugs included on the specialty drug list have changed
• Prior Authorization - There are two lists of drugs requiring prior authorization or quantity limit, they are:
  1. Non-Specialty Drugs Prior Authorization List
  2. Specialty Drugs Prior Authorization List

The new Aetna prescription benefit reduces the cost-sharing for generic and preferred brand insulin, diabetic drugs, and diabetic supplies for participants. 

• Generic and preferred brand diabetic drugs, insulin, and supplies are subject to the following special cost-share amounts for all health plan options: 
  • 30-day supply generic - $0
  • 30-day supply preferred brand - $34
  • 90-day supply generic through Maintenance Choice - $0
  • 90-day supply preferred brand through Maintenance Choice - $75
  • All non-preferred brand diabetic drugs, insulin, and supplies are subject to standard non-preferred cost-share amounts
• Each member with diabetes is eligible for one free Glucometer and an upgrade annually
• Insulin pumps have been added to the pharmacy benefit; medical coverage does not change

Several seasonal and preventive vaccines have been added to the new pharmacy benefit at no cost.

See the Vaccines Covered by the Aetna Pharmacy Benefit list for covered vaccines.

Maintenance drugs are prescription drugs you take on a regular basis. All three health plan options have automatically enrolled you in the Aetna Maintenance Choice program if you are currently on maintenance drugs. The Maintenance Choice program offers you 90-day supplies of maintenance drugs at a discounted rate equal to mail order rates through the CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy. You can purchase your maintenance drugs at local CVS pharmacies, UVA pharmacies, or by mail through the CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy.

However, you can opt out of the Maintenance Choice program if you do not wish to participate, but be aware that you will not receive the 90-day supply discount rate. 

• Maintenance drugs for chronic conditions may be filled through the Aetna Maintenance Choice program, (with an opt-out option)
• 90-day fills of maintenance drugs may be filled at UVA pharmacies and CVS pharmacies and receive the same discounted rate charged when filled at the CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy

If you prefer to purchase your prescription drugs through a different pharmacy than UVA or CVS, or you don’t want a 90-day supply of your medication, you can "opt out" of the Maintenance Choice program by calling Aetna Customer Service at 800.987.9072. Opting out allows you to purchase your medications anywhere, and for a 30-day fill period.

• Before you opt out, you can do two 30-day fills of your maintenance drug at retail pharmacies other than UVA or CVS pharmacies, and you will pay regular retail price for the medication (i.e. with UVA covering whatever your health plan option permits)
• After two 30-day refills, you need to decide whether to opt out of the Maintenance Choice Program or participate in it and benefit from the 90-day discount price, using the UVA or CVS pharmacies or CVS mail order pharmacy.
• If you decide to continue with the Maintenance Choice Program:
  • You must fill your maintenance drug prescriptions at UVA or CVS pharmacies, with 90-day supplies
  • You will enjoy the largest discount you can receive on your maintenance medications
• If you decide to opt out of the Maintenance Choice Program:
  • You can fill your maintenance drug prescriptions at the pharmacy of your choice
  • You will pay the regular retail copay for your 30-day supply (i.e. you will not get the 90-day supply discount, but your health plan is still paying the lion’s share of the drug’s cost)
  • You can choose to opt back in to the Maintenance Choice Program later, if you change your mind
• If you decide to not opt out but still fill a prescription at a pharmacy other than UVA or CVS:
  • You will pay full price for the medication (i.e. without cost-share by your health plan)
• EXAMPLE:
  • With Choice and Value Health, your generic prescription costs $6 for a 30-day supply when you opt out of the Maintenance Choice program. If you do not call to opt out of the Maintenance Choice program, the generic cost could be $100, as you would pay the full cost of the prescription. The prescription will not count towards your coinsurance.
  • With Basic Health, your generic prescription costs a UVA contracted rate of $56 for a 30-day supply when you opt out of the Maintenance Choice program. If you do not call to opt out of the Maintenance Choice program, the generic cost would be $100, as you would pay the full cost of the prescription. The prescription will not count towards your deductible or coinsurance.

The Specialty Drug Comparison document compares the drugs on the 2020 OptumRx specialty list with those on the 2020 Aetna Rx specialty list and indicates whether each Optum specialty drug is included on Aetna's specialty list. It also indicates when a drug on the Optum specialty list is no longer considered a specialty drug in 2021 and when a drug on the Optum specialty list is not covered under the pharmacy benefit in 2021 but is, instead, covered as a medical benefit.

Most recent 2021 UVA Specialty Drug list 

Specialty drugs filled by participants enrolled in Value Health and Choice Health options are subject to the deductible.

The cost-share amounts are:

• Generic Specialty - Deductible +20% ($100 maximum)
• Preferred Specialty - Deductible +20% ($150 maximum)
• Non-Preferred Specialty - Deductible +20% ($200 maximum)

When you have specialty pharmacy needs, the UVA Specialty Pharmacy is available to assist you by filling prescriptions for complex medical conditions that require special storage, handling and delivery, that most retail pharmacies aren't equipped to handle. Be sure to review the updated Aetna Formulary medications list found in the list of Resources below.

Limited Distribution Specialty Drugs may be filled through the CVS Specialty Pharmacy or UVA Specialty Pharmacy. All other specialty drugs must be filled through the UVA Specialty Pharmacy. 

You can use the numbers below to contact the UVA Pharmacy and CVS Specialty Pharmacy for your specialty pharmacy needs:

• UVA Pharmacy:
  • Available to members of all the UVA Health Plan options (Choice, Value, and Basic Health)
  • UVA Specialty Pharmacy: 434.297.5500
• CVS Specialty Pharmacy: 800.237.2767

30-Day vs. 90-Day Fills: Retail pharmacies can distribute a maximum drug supply of 30 days; however, CVS Pharmacies and UVA Pharmacies can distribute 90-day fills of maintenance drugs.

Limited Distribution Specialty Drugs may be filled through the CVS Specialty Pharmacy or UVA Specialty Pharmacy. All other specialty drugs must be filled through the UVA Specialty Pharmacy. 

Refills remaining:

• Contact the new pharmacy where you want your prescriptions transferred and ask if they require any particular steps to accept the transfer. 
• Contact the current pharmacy where your script resides and request the transfer. Provide them with the new pharmacy contact information (name, street address, telephone number), names of your drugs to transfer, and any other information or instructions the new pharmacy requires. 
• All outstanding refills will follow with transfer.

No Refills remaining:

• Ask your doctor/medical provider for a new script.
• Supply your provider with the new pharmacy contact information (name, address, telephone number).

There are 5 UVA Pharmacies in this region. See the UVA Pharmacy webpage for locations and addresses (scroll to the bottom of that page). 

Also, use this convenient tool to find all of the retail pharmacies within the Aetna network that are located near you. 

Pharmacy Locator Tool

1. Enter your zip code, or city & state / county & state
2. Choose distance (optional) 
3. Click "Search"

Keep in mind that if you have a maintenance drug with the Maintenance Choice program, you must use CVS or UVA pharmacies for a 90-day supply. You may also opt out of the Maintenance Choice program by calling Aetna; this will enable you to obtain a 30-day supply of your maintenance prescription from any retail pharmacy.

You may continue to use UVA Pharmacy or CVS to fill your prescriptions under the new Aetna pharmacy administration, and there are other pharmacies within the Aetna network as well.

Check the Aetna National Pharmacy Network and identify whether your current pharmacy is in the Aetna network by using Aetna’s “Find A Pharmacy” tool. Sign onto the Aetna member website for access to this tool.

There are 5 UVA Pharmacies in this region. See the UVA Pharmacy webpage for locations and addresses (scroll to the bottom of that page). 

Also, use this convenient tool to find all of the retail pharmacies within the Aetna network that are located near you. 

Pharmacy Locator Tool

1. Enter your zip code, or city & state / county & state
2. Choose distance (optional) 
3. Click "Search"

Check the Aetna Standard Plan Formulary to determine whether your current drugs are included on the formulary. Also see their tier level, whether they are subject to the deductible, and their cost by using the Digital Care Tool following these directions:

• Click on your health plan option:
  • Basic Health
  • Value Health
  • Choice Health
• Enter the name of the drug.
• Click "search" to view the estimate and plan details.
• As of 1/1/21, you can also use the “Find Care and Pricing” tool on Aetna’s website. Sign onto the Aetna member website for access to this tool.

Check the Formulary Exclusions resource for drugs not covered on the Aetna Standard Plan Formulary and their covered alternatives. If your drug is excluded and you have a unique medical situation that requires you keep taking it, your provider can submit a request for a medical exception.

1. Step Therapy Drugs / Generic before Brand - The medications on the Step Therapy List require the use of generics first before the use of brand medication. You may need to try out options in steps, starting with their least expensive versions. Check the Step Therapy List to see if your current brand drugs require the use of generic medications before they will be covered. If your drug is on the list and you previously tried the generic medications and found them to be ineffective, your provider can request a pre-certification from Aetna to bypass the step-therapy precursor medications.

2. Prior Authorization for non-Specialty Drugs - Check the Prior Authorization List (Non-Specialty Drugs) resource for a list of non-specialty drugs requiring prior authorization and determine if your current drugs are on the prior authorization list. If they are and you do not have a current prior authorization in place, your provider should request a pre-certification so you can fill your script without interruption.

3. Drugs for Chronic Conditions - If you are currently taking any maintenance drugs for chronic conditions, read the Maintenance Choice with Opt-Out Flyer resource. The Maintenance Choice program expands the options for Value Health and Choice Health participants to pay the reduced 90-day cost-sharing amounts for maintenance drugs. With Aetna, you have three options - UVA Pharmacies, CVS Pharmacies, and CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy. If you would prefer to fill a 30-day supply of maintenance drugs through your local retail pharmacy (other than CVS or UVA), you must call Aetna and opt out of the Maintenance Choice program. Otherwise, your maintenance drugs will not be covered.

4. Preventive and Chronic Medications - If you are enrolled in Value Health or Choice Health, check the Preventive Medicine List and the Chronic Medicine List and identify any of your current maintenance drugs on these lists. Those drugs are not subject to the deductible and are only subject to the standard coinsurance or copay.

5. Preventive Medications - If you are enrolled in Basic Health, check the Preventive Medicine List and identify any of your current maintenance drugs on the list. Those drugs are not subject to the deductible and are subject to the standard coinsurance or copay.

6. Specialty & Limited Distribution Drugs - Check the Specialty Drug List for a list of specialty drugs. If any of your current drugs are on this specialty list, they must be filled through the UVA Specialty Pharmacy to be covered. If they are Limited Distribution Drugs, they can also be filled through the CVS Specialty Pharmacy. All specialty drugs require prior authorization.

7. Specialty Drugs Changing Classification - If you are currently on a specialty drug, check the Specialty Drug Comparison list which compares the current OptumRx Specialty Drug List with Aetna’s 2020 Specialty Drug List. It indicates whether each drug is included on or excluded from Aetna’s specialty list. It also indicates whether the drug is no longer a specialty drug and whether it is covered as a medical benefit. If a current specialty drug is a non-specialty drug with Aetna, you no longer need to fill it through the UVA Specialty Pharmacy. If it is covered as a medical benefit, you should obtain it at your provider’s office.

Your new Aetna ID card should have arrived in December. If it did not, you can print it out from the Aetna website after logging in. It has an RX BIN# on the front of the card. Present this new card to your pharmacist when you fill a prescription in 2021 so your script is processed by Aetna. 

Aetna sent letters to UVA Health Plan participants in December 2020 with additional information if they fall into any of the following scenarios:

• Participants currently using an out-of-network pharmacy
• Participants currently filling a medication that is excluded from the formulary
• Participants currently filling a medication that is excluded from the Plan
• Participants currently filling a medication in tier 2 that has moved to tier 3 with Aetna
• Participants currently filling a medication that requires step therapy
• Participants currently filling a non-specialty medication that requires a prior authorization; all prior authorizations in place with OptumRx have been transferred to Aetna and retain their OptumRx expiration date
• Participants currently filling a specialty medication
• Participants who qualify for no-cost glucose meter
• Participants currently filling a preventive medication
• Participants currently filling a medication using OptumRx's mail order service; existing refills for all medications except compounds and controlled substances have transferred to Aetna's mail order service
• Participants currently filling a maintenance medication