MVP seeks to hike drug charges

A letter sent to Guild members from MVP states that the insurance provider wants to significantly raise the costs for some drugs.

The letter states that MVP wants to change the rules for when an employee receives a brand-name drug when there is a generic version available. Rather than charge the $50 brand-name co-pay, MVP wants to charge you the generic co-pay AND the difference between the cost of the brand-name and generic drugs.

This would be a huge difference, potentially hundreds of dollars more. Often the generic drugs work fine, but many of us have discovered over the years that some do not work as well and getting the name brand is necessary.

MVP also wants to make other changes including ending coverage for any immunizations or vaccinations taken solely as a precaution if you travel inside or outside the United States. MVP also wants to raise the copayment for mail-order drugs.

The Guild will soon be sitting down with the Company and the insurance broker to discuss next year’s rates and any changes. The Company is still required to keep any plan comparable to what we already have. We will keep you posted as soon as we have information to share.

In a few days, we’ll be giving you a health-care survey (which will also be available online at the Guild Web site) to get your views on the MVP plan.