Maintenance Prescription Services

Introducing Caremark Maintenance Choice

Using the mail order service or Caremark's Maintenance Choice program to fill ongoing medications will save you money, time and effort.  For the cost of a 60-day supply, you can get up to 90 days worth of the medication. (See Mail Order Copays) Order refills only four times a year via the telephone, Internet, mail or FAX - or drop into your local retail CVS/pharmacy.

Caremark Maintenance Medication Prescription Plan (MMPP)

The Caremark Maintenance Medication Prescription Plan applies to maintenance medications taken on an ongoing basis. If you purchase 30-day supplies of your maintenance prescriptions at a retail pharmacy, an additional charge will apply after the third monthly fill of the same maintenance drug at a retail pharmacy. You will be charged the retail copays for your supply PLUS the difference between the retail and the mail order price of the prescription.

Avoid the Penalty: 90-Day Supplies Via Caremark Maintenance Choice or Mail Order

Caremark's Maintenance Choice program (implemented October 1, 2009) allows you to obtain 90-day supplies of a medication at a lower copay without the MMPP penalty throughthe Mail Order Service or from a retail CVS/pharmacy.

To get started with the Caremark Mail Order service:

1. Enroll in Caremark Mail Service by logging in to the Caremark website, select "Start a New Prescription" and then Click on “FastStart®” or simply call “FastStart®” toll-free at 1-800-875-0867. 
2. Send your original 90-day prescriptions to Caremark Mail Service, P. O. Box 2110, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2110. Pay for your prescriptions by credit card, or by check or money order (if mailing an order).  Your medications will be delivered free to your home within 10 to 14 days.
3. Refills can be ordered online, by phone, or by mail. You can also sign up for the e-refill reminder program to get convenient email notices when it’s time to refill or renew a prescription.

To use Caremark Maintenance Choice to get your prescriptions filled at a local CVS/pharmacy:

1. You have three options to register for the program:
   • Register or log into Caremark.com to select a CVS/pharmacy location for pick-up
   • Visit your local CVS/pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist
   • Call Caremark at 1-877-347-7444 
2. Bring your original 90-day prescriptions to your local CVS/pharmacy and have it filled like a retail prescription.  You will be charged the mail order copay and the purchase will not count as a "retail fill" for the purpose of the MMPP penalty.
3. Refill your prescription by calling the local CVS/pharmacy refill line or by stopping into the pharmacy in person.

Merck-Medco Rx Services (for Highmark HMO participants)

This mail-order service enables employees to get long-term use medications at substantial savings over using retail pharmacies, and allows for easy phone and Internet ordering.  You must complete a Merck-Medco Health, Allergy & Medication Questionnaire (.pdf) and a Mail Order Enrollment Form (.pdf) before or accompanying your first order.

Tips for Writing Prescriptions for Mail Order

• Mail order should be used when you need more than a two-month supply.
• Write the prescription for a 90-day supply, NOT as a 30-day supply.
• Prescription should be signed and legible.
• One prescription per sheet.
• Allow 1-2 weeks for new prescriptions; refills generally take less time.
• If you need to start taking the medication right away, call CVS/Caremark to get a Bridge Supply (see right) or ask for samples.