Pharmacy Plans
The Banner Pharmacy Plans provide benefits for you and your eligible dependents in the event you have covered prescription drug expenses. Enrollment is required before coverage can begin.
What are the Choices for Coverage?
Banner offers you four choices for Pharmacy coverage:
- Basic Pharmacy Plan
- Standard Pharmacy Plan
- Expanded Pharmacy Plan
- Waive Coverage (You may waive pharmacy coverage only if you waive medical coverage.)
View the Pharmacy Plan Comparison Chart for a brief overview of your Pharmacy Plan options.
Using the Express Preview link below, you can compare each plan for an ESTIMATE of specific medication costs and your total annual out-of-pocket costs to decide which plan best meets your needs.
Visit the Express Preview Website to learn more about the 2012 program.
- Demo User Name: previewtest
- Password: password
When enrolling in a Medical Plan, you will be required to enroll in a Pharmacy Plan as well. You must choose the same level of coverage as your medical level of coverage. That means if you choose "Employee Only," you will only be able to select "Employee Only" Pharmacy Plan. If you waive medical coverage, you must also waive pharmacy coverage. If you have enrolled in the Banner Select 250 Medical Plan, you will automatically be enrolled in the Select 250 Pharmacy Plan as these plans are bundled together.
Step Therapy
Step Therapy is a program especially for people who take prescription drugs regularly to treat an ongoing medical condition. The program is an approach to getting you the prescription drugs you need, with safety, cost and – most importantly – your health in mind. It allows you and your family to receive the affordable treatment you need while helping Banner Health to continue to offer prescription-drug coverage. Click here for additional information.
Express Net Pharmacies
Cost Savings
Banner offers members access to a network of pharmacies (Express Scripts), which may offer significant savings:
- By selecting generic drugs over name brand drugs (save up to 75% or more)
- By ordering long term "maintenance" drugs by mail (save up to 33%)
- By choosing generic or name brand drugs that are part of the formulary (save up to 75% or more)
- By using the mail order option for long-term "maintenance" drugs
Express Net Convenience
Use a participating Express Net pharmacy to receive up to a 93-day supply of your medication at a local retail pharmacy. You won't be eligible for the mail order discount on the co-pays, but you will gain the convenience of picking up a three-month supply instead of visiting your pharmacy once a month for a refill.
Shingles Vaccines (Zostavax)
If your physician orders a Shingles vaccine but doesn't provide injections, you can obtain an injection at one of the Vaccine Network Locations. Many Express Scripts pharmacies provide the vaccine, free of charge, to any Banner Health Plans member 60 years or older. Be sure to inform your physician after you've had your vaccine.
Summary Plan Description
Detailed information on this benefit such as eligibility, plan coverage, limitations and contact information can be found in the Summary Plan Description (SPD).
Important to Note
This page contains highlights of your Pharmacy Plan choices and benefit comparisons. The details of how the Pharmacy Plan choices work are included in the legal documents and contracts that govern how the Plan operates. In the event of a difference between this page and the legal documents and contracts, the legal documents and contracts will rule. This insert does not imply a contract of employment or guarantee of benefits. Banner Health reserves the right to change or discontinue all or part of the Pharmacy Plan benefits at any time for any reason.
