Who is the specialty pharmacy for BCBS of IL?
Asked by: Jermey Lang | Last update: July 4, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (40 votes)
How do I know what specialty pharmacy to use?
- Choose a specialty pharmacy that has experts in complex, chronic conditions.
- Choose a specialty pharmacy that has resources to assist patients.
- Choose a specialty pharmacy that has resources to assist your staff.
What is a preferred pharmacy for BCBS Illinois?
Preferred network pharmacies include Jewel-Osco, Mariano's, Walgreens, Walmart and other independent pharmacies. Some plans1 include only Jewel-Osco and Walgreens as preferred pharmacies.. Check your plan's pharmacy directory for a full list of preferred pharmacies.
Who is the PBM for BCBS of Illinois?
Prime Therapeutics is the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) that provides drug benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL). Providers can access, complete, and submit prior authorization requests using the uniform PA form.
What are the top 3 specialty pharmacies?
- CVS Specialty (CVS Health) — $73.3 billion.
- Accredo/Freedom Fertility (Cigna/Evernorth/Express Scripts) — $59.5 billion.
- Other retail, mail, long-term care and specialty pharmacies — $37.4 billion.
- Optum Specialty Pharmacy (UnitedHealthGroup/OptumRx) — $32.3 billion.
BlueCross BlueShield Insurance Review 2025 ✅ BCBS
What are two specialty pharmacies examples?
- CVS Specialty (CVS Health)
- Accredo (Cigna)
- Optum Specialty Pharmacy (United HealthGroup/Optum Rx)
- Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy (Alliance Rx)
- CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy (Humana)
- Prime Therapeutics (Blue Cross Blue Shield)
Is CVS a Tier 1 pharmacy?
Level A pharmacies include all CVS Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy in Target Stores, Costco, Safeway, and Vons pharmacy retail locations nationwide. To find a list of the Level A pharmacies near you, please visit blueshieldca.com/pharmacy, click Pharmacy networks, and select Tiered pharmacy network Level A pharmacy directory.
Does BCBS own a PBM?
In the biggest growth area in drug spending, specialty pharmacy, several BCBS insurers have banded together to form their own PBM, the Synergie Medication Collective, which will cover drugs administered in a clinical setting.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois cover Wegovy?
In most cases, your healthcare provider will initiate the prior authorization for Wegovy and will work with your BCBS plan to complete the request. If the prior authorization is approved, the medication will be covered. However, it may only be covered for a certain length of time.
What are the tiers of medications for Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Generally, each drug is placed into one of up to six member payment tiers: Preferred Generic (Tier 1), Non-Preferred Generic (Tier 2), Preferred Brand (Tier 3), Non-Preferred Brand (Tier 4), Preferred Specialty (Tier 5) and Non-Preferred Specialty (Tier 6).
What mail order pharmacy does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois use?
Express Scripts® Pharmacy is a pharmacy that is contracted to provide mail pharmacy services to BCBSIL members. The relationship between Express Scripts® Pharmacy and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is that of independent contractors.
Does CVS take BCBS?
We accept most insurance plans for our Virtual Care services. This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, you should get in touch with Blue Cross Blue Shield to ensure that your plan will cover a Virtual Care visit with us. The availability of Virtual Care will also depend on your location.
Is Walmart a preferred pharmacy for Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Walmart will remain as an in-network, non-preferred pharmacy in this plan.
Is CVS a specialty pharmacy?
As one of the nation's largest and most experienced providers of specialty pharmacy services, we negotiate with drug manufacturers for the most competitive prices and access to complex, expensive therapies.
Can I use any specialty pharmacy?
Do I get to pick which specialty pharmacy I want to use? Normally, once you are prescribed a specialty medication, you will be required to use a specialty pharmacy that is chosen for you. Most often, the insurance company will choose an in-network specialty pharmacy.
Does Blue Cross cover specialty drugs?
Typically, specialty drugs that are self-administered will be covered under the pharmacy benefit. Specialty drugs that are administered to you in your provider's office are typically covered under your medical benefit. If you use out-of- network pharmacies, your medicine may not be covered.
How do you get $25 wegovy?
You may be able to get Wegovy for $25 (or less!) with the Wegovy Savings Card—that is, however, as long as you have a valid prescription for the drug, have private or commercial insurance, and meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can a doctor prescribe Ozempic instead of Wegovy?
Doctors prescribe Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss and long-term weight management, but only Wegovy is FDA-approved for this use. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes.
What does Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois cover?
Our plans cover the health benefits essential under the Affordable Care Act, including: emergency care, hospitalizations, maternity, newborn and pediatric care, emergency care, labs, prescribed drugs, disease management, mental health, substance use and rehabilitative services.
Who is PBM for BCBS IL?
BCBSIL utilizes Prime Therapeutics LLC as our pharmacy benefit manager to administer our pharmacy program to help contain rising drug costs and maintain and improve the quality of care delivered to members.
Does BCBS use CVS Caremark?
Blue Shield of California today unveiled a new model for pharmacy care that it hopes will overhaul the “broken prescription drug system.” Under the Pharmacy Care Reimagined program, the health plan will sever most of its ties with CVS Health's Caremark, its current pharmacy benefit manager.
What is the difference between PBM and specialty pharmacy?
Like specialty pharmacies, PBMs fill prescriptions often via mail and offer specialty pharmacy services. In short, PBMs are generally larger organizations than specialty pharmacies with more complex organizational structures that focus on more than just providing specialty drugs.
What tier level is Ozempic?
Medicare prescription drug plans typically list Ozempic on Tier 3 of their formulary. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you have to pay for the medication. Most plans have 5 tiers.
How do I know what pharmacy takes my insurance?
Call your insurance company or visit their website to find out whether your regular pharmacy is in-network under your new plan and, if not, what pharmacies in your area are in-network. You can also learn if you can get your prescription delivered in the mail.
Which pharmacy has the best rating?
Good Neighbor Pharmacy ranks highest among brick-and-mortar chain drug store pharmacies for an eighth consecutive year, with a score of 775. Good Neighbor received top scores in all study dimensions, including "level of trust with pharmacy." Health Mart (729) ranks second and Rite Aid Pharmacy ranks third (650).