Note: This article is over 60 days old, and may contain information that is out of date, or has been superseded by newer information.
Enhanced Prescription Drug Benefits:
All Capital Health Plan Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans will offer a 90-day retail supply and a 90-day mail order supply of most prescriptions beginning January 2012.
To take advantage of the 90-day retail supply just ask your physician’s office for a 90-day prescription and fill the prescription at your local pharmacy.
To take advantage of the 90-day mail order service:
Contact your physician’s office and ask for a 90-day prescription with three refills.
- Fill out the Mail Service Order Form.
- Download the form at caremark.com under “Forms for Print.”
- Or, call Member Services at the numbers listed below, and we will mail you a form.
- Mail the form to Caremark at the address printed on the form.
Drugs available through mail order are drugs you take on a regular basis, for a chronic or long term medical conditions. The drugs that are not available through mail order service are marked with a “NM” (not available at mail order) on your Formulary (drug list). The Formulary is available on line at capitalhealth.com/2012 Medicare. All Medicare Advantage members enrolled in plans that renew between October 1 and January 1 have also received the new 2012 Formulary by mail.
Medicare-Covered Preventive Services:
Most preventive services have been covered by Capital Health Plan at no cost to members in the past. However, in 2012 members will see some additional preventive services covered at no cost. Please refer to your Evidence of Coverage, Chapter 4, for a list of preventive services. This is a good time to check and make sure you have completed your annual screenings for 2011.
For other 2012 changes, please refer to your Annual Notices of Changes and Evidence of Coverage.
Questions: Contact Member Services, 850-523-7441 or 1-877-247-6512 (TTY 850-383-3534 or 1-877-870-8943) 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
H5938_DP 267 File & Use 11222011
Note: This article is over 60 days old, and may contain information that is out of date, or has been superseded by newer information.
As you get older, the way your body processes medication changes. As a part of the normal aging process, your body will most likely have a higher proportion of fat to muscle and a natural decline in kidney function. This makes it harder to clear drugs from your system. You may also be more sensitive to certain drugs.
These changes could put you at risk for serious side effects such as confusion, depression, falling, or other health consequences. A group of medical experts developed a list of drugs that are potentially inappropriate for patients aged 65 or older. This list is called the Beer’s Criteria, and some of the drugs are shown below, along with concerns and possible alternatives to these drugs.
Since the risks associated with these medications may outweigh the benefits, talk with your doctor if you are taking any of the drugs listed in the first column and ask if any of the alternatives would be appropriate for you. However, do not stop taking any prescribed medications without first consulting your doctor.
| Name | Concerns | Possible Alternatives |
| Propoxyphene (Darvocet®, Darvon®) | Combination is no better than acetaminophen alone, less effective than ibuprofen and may cause narcotic side effects. In November 2010, Darvon and Darvocet were withdrawn from the U.S. market at the request of the FDA due to safety concerns. Manufacturers of generic propoxyphene-containing products were asked to voluntarily remove their products as well. These drugs should not be used in combination with alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants or antidepressants due to the risk of severe adverse reactions and/or overdose. | Mild to moderate pain: acetaminophen (Tylenol), short-acting NSAIDs like ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil) Moderate to severe pain: hydrocodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone, fentanyl patch Note: Sudden discontinuation of chronic therapy can result in withdrawal symptoms. Gradual tapering is recommended. |
| Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®) | Questionable effectiveness at doses tolerated by this age group and effectiveness past 2-3 weeks is not proven. May cause sedation, weakness, confusion, drug mouth, urine retention and may increase the risk of falls in this age group. | Spasticity: baclofen (Lioresal), tizanidine (Zanaflex) |
| Hydroxyzine (Atarax®, Vistaril®)
| Can cause sedation, confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention and may increase the risk of falls in this age group. | Allergic conditions: fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), azelastine (Astelin) Anxiety: citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), venlafaxine (Effexor), buspirone (Buspar), trazodone |
| Promethazine (Phenergan®) | Can cause sedation, confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention and may increase the risk of falls in this age group. | Allergic conditions: fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), azelastine (Astelin) Nausea: ondansetron (Zofran), granisetron (Kytril) |
| Oral Estrogens (Premarin®, Prempro®) | Carcinogenic potential (breast, endometrial cancer), not cardioprotective in this age group. May increase the incidence of dementia in this age group. | Hot flashes: paroxetine (Paxil), gabapentin (Neurontin), venlafaxine (Effexor) Bone density: calcium, vitamin D, alendronate (Fosamax), raloxifene (Evista) |
| Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid®, Macrodantin®) | Contraindicated in patients with decreased kidney function. Increased risk of toxicity in this age group. | Urinary tract infections: [Depends on the infection] trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra), trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) |
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