University Of Michigan Benefits Office

Special Voluntary Programs

U-M Prescription Drug Plan members may receive notification about participating in a voluntary prescription drug program. Members are eligible for these programs based on specific selection criteria. Some members are notified by U.S. mail, others may notice an automatic discount co-pay on a prescription. Below are short descriptions of the programs and member contact information for each program.

Focus on Diabetes
Focus on Medicines
Pill-Splitting Incentive Program
Specialty Drug Program

MHealthy: Focus on Diabetes
Co-pay discount (two-year pilot program, July 2006 - June 2008)
Sponsors: Michigan Healthy Community with U-M Benefits Office.
Web site: www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/improve/diabetes/index.html
Phone: 734-913-2724
Email: focusondiabetes@umich.edu

MHealthy: Focus on Diabetes is a program that will eliminate or reduce the cost of selected medications for U-M employees and dependents who have diabetes. The two-year pilot program began on July 1, 2006. Retirees are not eligible for this pilot program. Information is available on the MHealthy Web site.

MHealthy: Focus on Medicines
Review of medications for members taking nine or more prescription medications.
Sponsors: Michigan Healthy Community in cooperation with the U-M Benefits Office and the College of Pharmacy.
Web site: www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/improve/medicines/index.html
Email: FocusonMeds@umich.edu

MHealthy: Focus on Medicines is a pilot program for employees, retirees, dependents and survivors who take nine or more medications through the U-M prescription drug plan. The project has two main goals:

to improve health, and
to contain costs for both members of the U-M community and the University itself

Eligible plan members will receive a letter listing their current medications and opportunities for cost savings. Some will be randomly selected to have the opportunity to discuss cost-saving options, and possible additional ways to reduce the cost of their drug therapy, with U-M pharmacists. In future months, some will also be offered a Comprehensive Medication Review to optimize drug therapy, ensure safety and discover opportunities for improving their health outcomes.

Pill-splitting Incentive Program
50% co-pay discount and free pill splitter
Sponsor: U-M Benefits Office (based on research by the U-M School of Pharmacy).
Web site: www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/Pill-Splitting-Instructions.pdf
Pharmacist Instructions: www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/rxpillsplit.pdf
FAQ: www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/statinqa.pdf
Summary: www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/PillSplittingExecutive%20Final.doc

The “Statins”, cholesterol lowering medications, are available in numerous different strength tablets at the same or very similar cost. When physicians prescribe half as many higher-strength pills and have the patient split the tablet to the desired dosage, the cost can be reduced as much as 50%.

As of January 1, 2006 the U-M Prescription Drug Plan will allow you to share in the prescription drug cost savings by reducing your co-payments or co-insurance by 50% when you and your physician voluntarily choose to participate. The medications that qualify for this program are: simvastatin (10, 20, 40, 80 mg), lovastatin (20, 40 mg), pravastatin (20, 40 mg), Lipitor (20,40, 80 mg), and Crestor (10, 20, 40 mg). There is no specific enrollment in this program. Your physician writes prescriptions for qualifying medications as "take 1/2 tablet once a day." The University will pay for one pill-splitter per calendar year to assist you in splitting tablets, if you wish to participate.

The instructions for pill splitting are available from the link below for your use. We suggest you print out the instructions and take them with you to your physician’s office to discuss the program and keep them to assist you in cutting tablets.

Pill Splitting Instructions (PDF)

Specialty Drug Program
Co-pay discount
Sponsors: U-M Benefits Office and the U-M Health System Ambulatory Pharmacies
Web site: www.umich.edu/~benefits/plans/drugs/updates/specdrug.htm
Program Office Phone: 734-647-5705

The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers (UMHHC) is eligible for special reduced drug pricing, presenting an opportunity for U-M Prescription Drug Plan members and dependents to reduce their out-of-pocket cost for a select group of specialty drugs. See the Specialty Drug Program Web site for the complete drug list.

Three criteria must be met:

Drugs must be on the list of program medications;
the prescribing physician must be employed by UMHHC; and
the prescription must be filled at the U-M Taubman Outpatient Pharmacy, U-M Cancer/Geriatric Center Pharmacy, or the U-M East Ann Arbor Health Center Pharmacy.