As the cost of prescription drugs rises, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas continues to look for ways to help you save money on prescription drugs.
If you or a family member experiences persistent and frequent heartburn, it may be a symptom of a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. People with GERD symptoms may have erosive GERD – a condition in which sores develop in the lining of the esophagus.
The proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class of drugs includes several brand-name drugs that all act in the same way to treat this medical condition. The PPI brand-name drugs on the BCBSKS formulary are Aciphex® and Protonix®. If you have a three-tier prescription drug benefit with BCBSKS, you pay the second (or middle) tier level of copayment for these drugs. The drugs not on the formulary – Nexium®, Prevacid® and Prilosec®, require the highest level of copayment. If you are interested in reducing your monthly copayment, ask your doctor if Aciphex or Protonix is right for you.
In addition, the makers of Aciphex and Protonix are offering you a $30 rebate coupon to use one of these products. If your doctor agrees that Aciphex or Protonix is appropriate to treat your condition, ask for a new prescription.