Inflation is driving up costs all around us—at the grocery store, the gas station, on our utility bills and more. But this trend is nothing new for health care – we’ve seen the effects of steep inflation for decades, and in North Carolina, individuals and businesses have faced some of the highest health care costs in the country.
Prescription drug prices, in particular, are an acute source of financial pain. Patients in the United States pay 2.56 times the price for medications compared to those in other countries. For that reason, it may not be surprising to learn that nearly a third of U.S. adults are not taking their medications as prescribed because they simply can’t afford to. The effects are devastating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 30-50% of chronic disease treatment failures and 125,000 deaths per year happen because people cannot take their medication as often as they are supposed to.
We’re giving members the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about their care1
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is working to lower rising out-of-pocket drug costs, while improving the quality and access of care our members receive. Our work is helping North Carolinians in all 100 counties to find easy, affordable ways to improve their health.
With our Rx Savings Solutions software, enrolled members are alerted to cost-saving opportunities on their prescriptions. Our technology scans prescriptions on record, looking for generic substitutes, therapeutic equivalents, and other potential avenues for saving money. By giving members visibility into how much their medications will cost, we can equip them to work more closely with their providers on a prescription solution that supports their health and budget.
Rx Savings Solutions has helped eligible Blue Cross NC members save an average of $153 per fill, and more than $1,500 per year2
Here’s how Rx Savings Solutions works:
- When used, the Rx Savings Solutions software receives the member’s claim and searches for less expensive, equally effective alternatives based on the member’s drug benefits. (Possible drug interactions are considered.)
- When a savings opportunity is found, members receive an alert via email, direct mail, or text. The tool also tells the member if their medication is available for less at a different pharmacy.
- Members also receive guidance on sharing the alternative options with their provider to facilitate an open conversation about what prescription solution is the right fit.
Rx Savings Solutions3 is just one way Blue Cross NC is making health care easier—connecting North Carolinians to the information they need, when they need it, and making better health more affordable for all.
Disclaimers:
1Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) offers several decision support tools to aid you in making decisions around your health care experience. These tools are offered for your convenience and should be used only as reference tools. You should consult your own legal counsel, tax advisor or personal physician as applicable throughout your health care experience.
2Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, 2022
3Rx Savings Solutions is an independent company that is solely responsible for the services it is providing. Rx Savings Solutions does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services.