Armed with proven results, BrickStreet remains committed to making the use of prescription drugs safer and more affordable for claimants. BrickStreet works hard to control that cost in a number of ways, including a preferred drug list and medical reviews of claim files. This assures that claimants receive the medications they need, and that they are not being overprescribed or prescribed drugs that are not fully appropriate for their condition.

In June 2008, BrickStreet spent $81,761 on 1,780 filled prescriptions. Last year in June, BrickStreet spent $120,362 on 2,573 filled prescriptions. These are major improvements not only in the reduction of prescriptions filled, but also in the cost savings to policyholders.

BrickStreet's Office of Medical Management remains active in monitoring the prescribed medications used by claimants. Claims adjusters, nurse case managers and doctors work as a team to approve such medications. BrickStreet is actively cutting medical costs by refining its PDL, and by reviewing use of brand versus generic drugs on a monthly basis.

Whenever medically appropriate, BrickStreet requires the use of generic drugs because they provide the same level of quality as brand name drugs at a far lower cost. If the claimant decides to use the name brand drug when there is a generic available, they must pay the difference out-of-pocket.

Last month, only 14.4 percent of prescriptions were brand name, but cost BrickStreet $44,824 - more than half of the total June expenditure for prescriptions. BrickStreet is forced to absorb the cost of brand name drugs when there is no equivalent generic available. Since January, BrickStreet has averaged 17.6 percent brand name prescriptions and 82.4 percent generic prescriptions per month. But those brand name drugs cost $301,862 or $73,428 more than all the generics paid for during the first half of this year.

BrickStreet continues to control prescription costs because that is what policyholders expect. More than that, it is what BrickStreet demands of itself because it helps build our competitive edge of customer service and policyholder care.