BCBSNC expands Prime Therapeutics' pharmacy benefit services to Medicare beneficiaries

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning January 1, 2013, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Medicare beneficiaries will have their pharmacy benefits managed by Prime Therapeutics (Prime). Prime has been providing pharmacy benefit management services to BCBSNC commercial customers since April 1, 2012. This expansion provides opportunity for additional savings in pharmacy costs and uniquely designed services and programs to thousands of Medicare customers with BCBSNC insurance coverage.

"Since April, our collaboration with Prime has helped us coordinate pharmacy and health management programs to improve health and manage rising health care costs," said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. "We are pleased to extend these pharmacy benefits to our Medicare customers at the beginning of next year."

BCBSNC's collaboration with Prime covers a range of pharmacy benefit services for Medicare beneficiaries including: claims processing, benefit plan design, network management, clinical program consultation, rebate management, formulary administration, mail-service pharmacy and specialty pharmacy.

"The expansion of our relationship is a testament of our ability to successfully manage the quality and affordability of pharmacy benefits for BCBSNC members," said Eric Elliott, president and CEO of Prime Therapeutics. "Seniors are the fastest growing population in the United States, and today, nearly one million of them are putting their trust in Prime to service their Medicare Part D needs. We are pleased BCBSNC has also placed their trust in Prime to make it easier for their Medicare beneficiaries to obtain affordable medicines."

Prime Therapeutics is a privately held pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) that is currently owned by 13 Blue organizations representing 16 plans.It serves nearly 20 million customers across the U.S. and has a long history of providing a full range of pharmacy benefit management services for its participating plans.

About BCBSNC: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.6 million members, including approximately 900,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 78 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute in 2012. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.

About Prime Therapeutics:At Prime Therapeutics, people are at the center of all we do and every decision we make. As a leader in pharmacy benefit management, Prime is dedicated to making it easier for our members to obtain more affordable medicines. We leverage our unique connections to deliver programs that lead to the best health outcomes for our members.

Prime's integrated pharmacy benefit management services include claims processing, benefit plan design, network management, clinical program consultation, rebate management, formulary administration, mail service pharmacy and specialty pharmacy.

Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Prime Therapeutics serves nearly 20 million people and is collectively owned by 13 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those Plans. Prime has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation by Inc. 5000 and as a most engage workplace by Achievers.

For more information, visit http://www.primetherapeutics.com or follow @Prime_PBM on Twitter.

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BCBSNC expands Prime Therapeutics' pharmacy benefit services to Medicare beneficiaries