OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Insurance Department has received an assurance from CVS/Caremark that “they have a plan in place to allow 90-day and mail-order options” for prescriptions, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready announced.
The OID filed an administrative action against Caremark in March for allegedly “steering patients” to CVS pharmacies and prescription mail-order services, in violation of state law. The judge granted a continuance on the hearing, which is now set for Nov. 6, 2023.
Nearly 300,000 Oklahomans were affected by Caremark’s decision to do away with 90-day and mail-order pharmacy benefits, Mulready said.
Since the filing, the OID “has been in discussions with large client employers” such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines and Phillips 66, Mulready said. “In addition to those conversations, we have met with Caremark, and they now have a plan in place” to allow 90-day and mail order options.
“I am thankful we were able to get CVS to expedite this redirection and start implementing this plan now,” the commissioner said. “Many Oklahoma consumers who have been impacted will have these options available to them this month.”
Below is the most recent update on the issue:
• All affected out-of-state clients have been offered the option to reinstate the benefits for their Oklahoma members.
• As of July 31, 79% of the Oklahomans covered by clients who elected CVS’ solution have 90-day mail order prescription access. This percentage excludes clients who opted out of the solution to implement a 90-day mail and retail benefit and those members who are terminating coverage.
Caremark will continue to work with its clients and the OID as they reinstate 90-day mail order for Oklahomans, Mulready said.