What does it mean for you?
After Medco implemented a Preferred Drug Step Therapy (PDST) program beginning Feb. 1, 2010, members complained about higher co-pays, being denied for long-standing prescriptions, being forced to pay full price for previously covered drugs and interference with their medical treatment from untrained company representatives contradicting doctors’ advice.
AFT joined with other state unions and successfully arbitrated against the illegal unilateral action. While Medco’s PDST program will be shut down effective January 1, 2012, members who paid more for prescriptions because of the program will be reimbursed. There will also be reimbursement for any future payments above the negotiated co-pays until the program ends in 2012.
The decision requires the state to contact all employees who were denied coverage under the PDST so that they can submit for reimbursement upon showing they paid full cost or an amount higher than the negotiated co-pays for a drug in the non-preferred drug category.
Members who were denied authorization for prescriptions because of the PDST program should be contacted by the state with the reimbursement form (link below). All reimbursement forms must be filled out and returned on or before March 1, 2012.
AFT Council of NJ State College Locals staff representative Debra Davis represented AFT and advises members to make sure they have their receipts handy to take advantage of the short window for reimbursement. Davis said contractually negotiated rates for prescription coverage for all College Council and Rutgers AFT locals are online at http://www.cnjscl.org/Library/07-11%20Full%20Tme-PT%20Agreement.html#_Toc182826747.
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