Starmark - Visitor - Starmark Launches Drug Program: Waives Initial Copay With Switch to Generic

Starmark Launches Drug Program: Waives Initial Copay With Switch to Generic

Generics, on the ‘Mark’ Program waives members' initial out-of-pocket cost
The program has the potential to save members more than $110,000 on the 18 eligible generic prescription drugs

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Sep. 1, 2006 — Star Marketing and Administration, Inc. (Starmark) recently launched a new drug program to help members save as much as $110,000. Through the Generics, on the ‘Mark,’ program, Starmark will waive an member's initial out-of-pocket cost, whether copay or discount based, when they switch to an eligible generic drug from a brand-name one.

Starmark mailed information about this voluntary program to 11,000 members in August. Those members wishing to participate simply present their Starmark medical ID card at a network pharmacy. The out-of-pocket cost waiver applies automatically to their first prescription for any of the select drugs eligible under the program. With the average generic copay being $10, this equates to a savings of more than $110,000 for insureds.

“Generics, on the ‘Mark’ is just another way Starmark is working to help maintain the affordability of our members’ prescription drug benefits,” said Mary Doherty-Glynn, Starmark Associate Marketing Director of Pharmacy Management. “Best of all, since the cost for generic drugs is typically lower than brand-name drugs, members will continue to save money each time they renew their prescription for the generic drug.”

Rigorous analysis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has shown that generic drugs are equal to their brand-name counterparts in strength, quality and performance. Generic drugs provide an effective and less-expensive alternative for most people.

The information provided through this program is not the practice of medicine or a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a treating healthcare provider. Only a treating provider can determine which drugs are appropriate for a patient.

For more information about any health plan or ancillary product in the Starmark portfolio, call 800.522.1246, ext. 33057, or visit www.starmarkinc.com.

About Starmark
Starmark specializes in small group healthcare benefits and serves businesses with two to 50 employees through a network of managing general agents. All plans are fully insured by Trustmark Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Trustmark Mutual Holding Company. Through its subsidiaries and operating divisions, Trustmark Mutual Holding Company offers a broad line of life, medical, managed care, dental, disability, critical illness, and benefit administration products and services to groups and individuals. Trustmark Mutual Holding Company has assets of more than $1.9 billion and administers more than $3 billion in health and life benefits annually. Additional information can be found at www.starmarkinc.com.

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