Elevance Health's pharmacy benefit manager, CarelonRx, is launching a new program that aims to make it easier for members to access drug discounts at the pharmacy counter.
The new offering, called EnsureRx, will be made available for no cost to commercial members in early 2024, according to an announcement from Carelon. Once the program is active, members can go to the pharmacy counter as normal to pick up prescriptions, and EnsureRx will find and apply the lowest cost available to them.
The program covers 50 generic drugs that patients typically purchase with a discount card, CarelonRx said. Prescriptions filled as part of EnsureRx will count toward the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
"This really eliminates some of the complicated and confusing ways that people use their drug benefits versus discount cards," said Michele Paige, vice president of product at CarelonRx, in an interview with Fierce Healthcare.
The announcement notes that recent studies suggest 39% of people with commercial coverage use a drug discount card instead of their insurance at the pharmacy. Other PBMs have integrated popular discount providers, like GoodRx, to a similar end.
Paige said CarelonRx "wanted to really think about a customer-centric solution that emulates the shopping experience but takes the work out of it."
In addition to the ease of access to discounts at the pharmacy, members can access details on potential savings as well as select pharmacy prices through the Sydney app, CarelonRx's website or their Anthem plan's website.
Paul Marchetti, president of CarelonRx, said in the press release that through the program, members "will have the peace of mind knowing they are getting their generic medications at the selected pharmacy’s lowest available cost, and they can spend less time on comparison shopping."
"Not only can we help members reduce their prescription drug costs, but we can also help increase the medication adherence and promote better health outcomes," Paige said.