Tablet Splitting Program Expanding to Include MORE Medications!

Dear Member,

Effective September 1, 2007, FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company, Inc. (FirstCarolinaCare) will expand its “Split the Pill, Split Your Bill” program to include more medications. By participating in this voluntary tablet splitting program, you can save 50% on your current prescription drug copayment.

How does the Tablet Splitting Program Work?

The program is limited to 8 medications: Lexapro, Benicar, Benicar HCT, Lamictal, Crestor, Lipitor, pravastatin (generic Pravachol) and simvastatin (generic Zocor). Our program takes advantage of the fact that the higher strengths of these 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 dose. For example, if you normally take Lexapro 10mg once daily, your provider will write a new prescription for 15 Lexapro 20mg tablets with directions to take ½ 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. FirstCarolinaCare will provide two (2) tablet splitters per year at no cost for members participating in the program. 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.

How does the Tablet-Splitting Program Benefit Me?

By splitting your medication in half, you will also split your copayment in half. For example, if your usual copayment for Lexapro is $50 per month, you will save 50% on your copayment and pay $25 by participating in the tablet splitting program. Please remember this only applies to a one (1) month supply of a medication eligible for the tablet splitting program.

If you are interested in saving on your medication(s), please discuss the tablet splitting program with your provider or pharmacist to make sure it is right for you. If you have any questions, please contact FirstCarolinaCare at (800) 574-8556.

Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions and Tablet Splitting Instructions for further assistance.

Sincerely,

Kenneth J. Lewis, President

“Split the Pill, Split Your Bill” Tablet Splitting Program

 If you take one of the medications below, you may be eligible to save 50% on your prescription drug copayments.