Express Scripts Introduces New Medicare Part D Saver Plan for 2018

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX) today introduced a new Express Scripts Medicare^® Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) for 2018 called the Saver plan, a low-premium Part D plan that provides affordable access to nearly 3,000 commonly used medications and a preferred pharmacy network with CVS Pharmacy and the Kroger Family of Pharmacies.

"When it comes to a Medicare Part D plan, there is no such thing as one size fits all. Express Scripts' ability to work with different partners across the pharmacy supply chain allows us to create a variety of valuable plans that provide safe, high-quality access to prescription medications for all seniors," said Jennie Knisley, vice president, Medicare prescription drug plans, Express Scripts. "Our new Saver plan is a low-cost option for seniors who need a plan that provides the essentials and helps them affordably avoid delayed enrollment penalties, while our Choice and Value plans provide broader medication access and preferred pharmacy options for seniors with more complex medication needs."

The Saver plan offers a low premium of $22.60 per month[1] -- less than $1 per day -- and a $0 deductible on tier 1 and tier 2 generics. Copays are $1 for tier 1 generic medications and $4 for tier 2 generic medications when filled at one of more than 8,000 CVS pharmacies or more than 2,000 Kroger pharmacies nationwide. The copays for a 90-day supply of tier 1 or tier 2 generic medications are just $2 and $8, respectively, via home delivery by the Express Scripts Pharmacy^SM.

In addition to the Saver plan, the Express Scripts Medicare Value and Choice plans, currently rated 4 Stars², provide a more comprehensive formulary and cover up to 75 percent of the costs, after the deductible, for specialty medications – high-cost drugs that treat complex, chronic conditions. The Choice plan also will provide coverage in the Gap for a select group of tier 3 brand drugs above the standard gap coverage in 2018.

Both the Value and Choice plans will continue providing additional cost savings through a preferred pharmacy network that features more than 8,200 Walgreens pharmacies, 2,000 Kroger pharmacies and more than more than 12,000 independent pharmacies nationwide.

"Express Scripts Medicare plans are built on more than a decade of experience providing care to millions of Medicare beneficiaries," said Knisley. "All enrollees have 24/7 access to Express Scripts pharmacists to answer prescription medication questions, and access to our specialist pharmacists and nurses who have enhanced condition-specific training and experience, and offer patients with ongoing personalized care and support to ensure optimal health outcomes."

Enrollment for the 2018 plan year begins October 15, 2017 and ends December 7, 2017. Coverage begins on January 1, 2018.  Saver,Choice and Value plans are offered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico³.

To learn more about the Express Scripts Medicare plan options, visit www.Express-ScriptsMedicare.com/info, or call toll-free <1-866-544-3794>. TTY users should call 1-800-716-3231.

Disclaimers
Express Scripts Medicare^® (PDP) is a prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Express Scripts depends on contract renewal. The benefit information provided in this release is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.  

Other pharmacies are available in our network.

¹Premiums vary in AR, CA, HI, NC, PA, PR, SC, VA and WV. 
²2017 rating for contract S5660; 3 stars for contract S5983 (NY). Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Medicare Star Ratings for plans can be found at http://www.medicare.gov.
³Only Saver and Value plans will be available in Puerto Rico

About Express Scripts

Express Scripts puts medicine within reach by practicing pharmacy smarter – taking bold action, delivering specialized care, creating innovative solutions and leveraging data insights - to make better health more affordable and accessible.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Express Scripts provides integrated pharmacy benefit management services, including network-pharmacy claims processing, home delivery pharmacy care, specialty pharmacy care, benefit-design consultation, drug utilization review, formulary management and medical and drug data analysis services.  Express Scripts also distributes a full range of biopharmaceutical products and provides extensive cost-management and patient-care services.

For more information, visit Lab.Express-Scripts.com or follow @ExpressScripts on Twitter.

Media Contact: 
Jennifer Luddy 
Express Scripts 
201-269-6402 
Jennifer_Luddy@express-scripts.com

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SOURCE Express Scripts