Dear Member:

Effective September 1, 2006, FirstCarolinaCare (FCC) will offer a voluntary Tablet-Splitting Program to help eligible members save 50% on selected medications.

How does the Tablet-Splitting Program Work?
The program is limited to four cholesterol-lowering medications: Lipitor® , Crestor®, Simvastatin (generic Zocor®) and Pravastatin (generic Pravachol®). Our program takes advantage of the fact that the higher strengths of these four medications cost no more than the lower strengths. If you want to participate in the savings, ask your provider to write a new prescription for the same medication you have been taking but at twice the usual strength and half the usual quantity. You will then split the tablets in half and that will be your usual dose. For example, if you normally take Lipitor® 10mg once daily, your provider will write a new prescription for 15 Lipitor® 20mg tablets with directions to take 1/2 tablet daily. This will give you your usual dose of 10mg a day for 30 days.

Is Tablet-Splitting Safe?
The medications selected for the program are safe and easy to split with a tablet splitter, but consult your provider or local pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. FCC will cover the cost of two tablet splitters per year for members participating in the program at $0 copayment.

Just ask your provider to write a prescription for a tablet splitter and your pharmacist will submit a claim for one of the covered tablet splitters through your pharmacy benefit.

How does the Tablet-Splitting Program Benefit Me, the Member?
By splitting your medication in half, you will also split your copayment in half. For example, if your usual copayment for Lipitor is $35 per month, you will save 50% on your copayment and pay $17.50 by participating in the Tablet-Splitting Program. Please remember this only applies to the four medications in the program.

If you are interested in saving money ($) on your medication, please discuss the Tablet-Splitting Program with your provider or local pharmacist to make sure it is right for you. If you have any questions, please contact FCC at (800) 574-8556. Please see the FAQ and tablet splitting instruction sheet for more information.

Sincerely,

Kenneth J. Lewis, President