Types of Prescription Drugs
Covered prescription drugs are divided into three categories: generic, preferred brand and non-preferred brand drugs. The amount you pay for a prescription depends on the drug’s category.
- Generic Medications: These are labeled with the
medication’s basic chemical name and usually have a
brand name equivalent. (For example, Tagamet is the
brand name for the generic medication cimetidine.)
A generic medication must, by law, contain the same
active ingredients as its brand name equivalent.
In addition, it must be equivalent in strength and
dosage. Generic drugs are the most affordable way for
you to obtain quality medications at your lowest
copayment level.
- Preferred Brand Medications: These are brand name
medications that either don’t have a generic equivalent
or are considered to be an effective alternative under
the formulary. You are covered for these drugs at a
slightly higher copayment than for generic drugs.
- Non-Preferred Brand Medications: These are brand
name products that can generally be effectively
substituted with a preferred brand or generic medication
from the formulary. This category of drugs has
the highest copayment amount.
