Summer 2009

Prescribing extended supply of maintenance drugs has benefits

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) offers many of our eligible members the ability to fill maintenance prescription medications up to a 90-day supply at retail pharmacies participating in our Extended Supply Network.

Currently, BCBSF has more than 2,700 retail pharmacies, both independents and chains, in the Extended Supply Network. Eligible members obtain a 90-day supply of their maintenance medications at their local retail pharmacy. This convenience allows members to reduce number of trips to the pharmacy, saving both time and money, while maintaining the pharmacist-patient relationship.

Physicians benefit from a decrease in the number of refill requests which saves administrative costs. BCBSF suggests that when prescribing a new medication, physicians allow enough time to determine if the medication is safely and effectively treating the diagnosed condition before writing a prescription for an extended supply.