NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Coventry Health Care of Georgia Eliminates Tier 1 and Tier 1A Copayments for Remainder of 2011

Tier 1 and 1A consists of medicines with typical copayments of $3 or $15 for a 30-day retail pharmacy supply. The copay waiver applies to fully insured groups that offer a prescription benefit plan through Coventry. Members can simply present their new prescription or refill for Tier 1 and Tier 1A drugs along with their current Coventry Health Care of Georgia member ID card at a participating network pharmacy to take advantage of the program. Members who currently use Tier 1 and 1A generic drugs will also benefit from the $0 copay program.

"We are committed to high-value, high-quality health care for our members. We believe this program will bring immediate value to our members while helping to improve or maintain their health at a potentially lower cost," said Tom Davis, CEO of Coventry Health Care of Georgia.

This program offers immediate savings for members, especially those who are currently taking Tier 2 and Tier 3 drugs when a medically-equivalent Tier 1 or Tier 1A drug is available. For example, if a Coventry member takes the brand-name, Tier 3 medication AVAPRO for high blood pressure, it costs approximately $60 for the copay every month. If the member and his or her physician chose to move to losartan potassium, an alternative generic medication in the same therapeutic class, this would then be a Tier 1 drug at $0 copay ― saving the member $300 for the balance of the year. Members are encouraged to talk with their health care provider about whether a generic medicine may be medically appropriate for them versus more expensive brand-name counterparts.

Certain medications, such as controlled substances, tramadol-containing products and skeletal muscle relaxants are excluded from the program. For more information about Coventry Health Care of Georgia's Tier 1 and 1A copay waiver program, including any additional exclusions and limitations, go to www.chcga.com.

About Coventry Health Care of Georgia

Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Inc. provides health insurance products and services, including HMO, Point-of-Service, PPO and Medicare Advantage, to employers and individuals throughout the state of Georgia. Coventry Health Care of Georgia is URAC health plan accredited and serves over 177,000 Georgia residents. The company features a network of over 17,000 participating health care provider locations in Georgia as well as access to additional provider locations throughout the country. Coventry Health Care of Georgia is a subsidiary of Coventry Health Care, Inc., one of the country's largest health care companies providing a full range of risk and fee-based health care products and services in all 50 states. For more information, visit Coventry Health Care of Georgia's website at www.chcga.com

Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Inc.
Tom Davis, Chief Executive Officer, 678-202-2100