April 10, 2012

Important Notice

Yesterday we sent you the following news flash about changes to our small group formulary. The news flash included a link to an FAQ that was part of the group and subscriber mailings. Due to a technical issue, the link did not work. The issue has been corrected and you can now view the FAQ using the link below. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this technical problem may have caused.

Changes to the EmblemHealth Small Group Formulary

Starting June 1, 2012, your small group clients with EmblemHealth-, GHI- and HIP-branded plans, including sole proprietors and GHI HMO groups, will have a new drug formulary (list of covered drugs). We made changes to the formulary to make sure that our members have access to the prescription drugs they need at the lowest possible cost. The changes were made after careful review of each drug's safety and effectiveness.

We encourage you to read the attached letters, FAQ and updated formulary that we will
be mailing to your clients and their group members affected by the changes. We will send a second letter to these members about one month after the initial notice. These communications contain important details about the specific prescription drugs affected by the changes.

Please be aware that the formulary changes will affect your small group clients' members
and/or their dependents if they are taking any of the prescription drugs listed in the member letter. These drugs now require step therapy or prior authorization, or have quantity level limits.

If any of the prescription drugs your clients' group members currently take are not listed on the formulary, these drugs have become non-preferred. Members who fill prescriptions for non-preferred drugs on or after June 1 will have higher out-of-pocket costs. Group members should talk to their doctor about comparable prescription drugs that may help them save money.

The formulary changes apply only to small groups. The large group formulary is not affected.

If you have any questions, please contact your EmblemHealth representative.

Group Health Incorporated (GHI), GHI HMO Select, Inc. (GHI HMO), HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), HIP Insurance Company of New York and EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC are EmblemHealth companies. EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC provides administrative services to the EmblemHealth companies.