SAIF to join with OPDP to provide pharmacy benefits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rick Hanson | 503.373.8727 | richan@saif.com

Beginning in March 2008, SAIF Corporation, Oregon's not-for-profit, state-chartered workers' compensation insurance provider, will use the Oregon Prescription Drug Program (OPDP) to administer pharmacy benefits for its policyholders. OPDP will replace ReStat as the pharmacy benefit provider for the approximately 45,000 injured workers that SAIF serves each year.

Governor Ted Kulongoski said the new partnership will help control the rising cost of prescription drugs while offering injured workers quicker access to prescriptions. "This partnership is another example of public and private groups working together to improve access to prescription drugs at a cost Oregonians can afford," said Kulongoski.

OPDP pools employer group pharmacy benefit plans with uninsured or underinsured residents to increase its bargaining leverage on behalf of all members. Groups receive competitive rates and transparent contracting.

SAIF initiates program to help injured workers get some needed medications sooner

In addition, SAIF will begin a new First Fill pharmacy program in March. Injured workers can use this new program to obtain prescription medication before a decision has been made on their claims. Although Oregon law does not require this benefit, SAIF has elected to provide a limited number of cost-effective medications for new claims filed for work-related injuries or illnesses. The intent of the new program is to help injured workers get through those first difficult days following an injury.

First Fill prescriptions will be billed directly to the Oregon Prescription Drug Plan (OPDP); however, because this program is for prescriptions needed before acceptance or denial of a workers' compensation claim, not all medications will be covered. Even if the claim is later denied, there will be no out-of-pocket costs to the injured worker or to the policyholder for a limited number of prescription medications related to the injury.

By joining OPDP and bringing the First Fill benefit to the Oregon market, SAIF continues to achieve its mission to improve Oregon's workers' compensation insurance system by setting the industry standard for affordability, availability, innovation, efficiency, and service quality.

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