Pharmacy

The University of Alaska offers three medical plans (Premium, Basic, and HDHP) and two dental plans (Premium and Basic) through Premera. We offer one vision plan through VSP. Employees can enroll themselves and their dependents in any combination of the three plans. Since our plans are unbundled, you can enroll in the coverage that you need! Dependents can only be enrolled in coverage if the employee is enrolled in that same coverage. 

Pharmacy is automatically included with the medical benefit. If you enroll in medical, you are enrolled in the corresponding pharmacy benefit. 

If you are eligible for - and are enrolled in - a medical plan, you are automatically enrolled in the pharmacy plan. There is nothing further you need to do to access this benefit. Please review the medical webpage to review eligibility. 

If you are eligible for - and are enrolled in - a medical plan, you are automatically enrolled in the pharmacy plan. There is nothing further you need to do to access this benefit. Please review the medical webpage to review how to enroll or make changes to a plan. 

​The University of Alaska's prescription drug program is coordinated through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. Information on your benefits, coverage, and list of in-network pharmacies is available online at premera.com or by calling the customer care number on the back of your Premera ID card. 

Employee cost is determined by the tier assigned to the prescription drug product. Products are assigned as Generic Preventive, Preferred Generic, Preferred Brand Name, Specialty Drugs, and Non-Preferred.

Premium Plan

Basic Plan

HDHP with optional HSA

Out of Pocket Maximum

  • $1,000 Individual
  • $1,700 Family

Out of Pocket Maximum

  • $1,000 Individual
  • $1,700 Family

Pharmacy charges on the HDHP are included in the medical deductible and the medical out of pocket maximums. 

Retail Prescriptions (30-day supply)

  • $0 Generic Preventive 
  • $10 Preferred Generic
  • $30 Preferred Brand Name
  • $100 Specialty
  • 30% Non-preferred

Specialty medications are not covered in out-of-network pharmacies.

Retail Prescriptions (30-day supply)

  • $0 Generic Preventive 
  • $10 Preferred Generic
  • $30 Preferred Brand Name
  • $100 Specialty
  • 30% Non-preferred

Specialty medications are not covered in out-of-network pharmacies.

Pharmacy charges are the responsibility of the employee until the medical deductible is met. Once the medical deductible is met, the employee will then pay a 20% cost share of the medications until the medical out of pocket maximum is met.

Mail Order Prescriptions (90-day supply)

  • $0 Generic Preventive 
  • $20 Preferred Generic
  • $60 Preferred Brand Name
  • $110 Specialty

Mail order prescriptions are not covered in out-of network pharmacies.

Mail Order Prescriptions (90-day supply)

  • $0 Generic Preventive 
  • $20 Preferred Generic
  • $60 Preferred Brand Name
  • $110 Specialty

Mail order prescriptions are not covered in out-of network pharmacies.

Pharmacy charges are the responsibility of the employee until the medical deductible is met. Once the medical deductible is met, the employee will then pay a 20% cost share of the medications until the medical out of pocket maximum is met.

Mail order prescriptions are not covered in out-of network pharmacies.

Preventive drugs are covered at no cost to to the employee on all plans. For more information on alternatives for non-preferred or excluded drugs, please visit Premera's website

PV Core Plus Preventive Prescriptions
If an employee is prescribed a medication on a regular basis to control or treat an ongoing or chronic condition, they will be able to get the first two fills at a retail pharmacy. After the first two refills, the mail order pharmacy will be used for future refills.  If an employee does not use the mail order pharmacy for maintenance medications, the regular retail copay will be doubled for the same 30 day supply. Find out which medications make the list of Maintenance Medications and view the Maintenance Medication Exemptions to find exceptions.

All specialty medications must be dispensed from the specialty pharmacy, Accredo Health Group. The Premium and the Basic medical plans have a $100 copay for up to a 30 days supply from Accredo Health Group.  Visit the Specialty Pharmacy Program page on Premera's website to find out how to order and to see various Specialty Medications lists. 

SaveonSP Specialty Coupon Program 
The University of Alaska is collaborating with Express-Scripts’ program, SaveonSP, to help you save money on certain specialty medications. Contact SaveonSP directly to find out if a medication is eligible. 

  • If you participate in this program, your copay will be covered under the SaveonSP program for the specialty medications included in the program, which will result in no out-of-pocket costs to you. 
  • Your prescriptions will still be filled through Accredo, your existing specialty mail pharmacy.    
  • To participate, simply call SaveonSP at 1-800-683-1074 prior to filling your prescription. The program cannot be retroactively applied to a previously filled prescription.
  • Participation in the program is voluntary and, if you choose to participate, SaveonSP will monitor your account to ensure you have no cost ($0). 
  • If you choose not to participate, SaveonSP will not be able to monitor your account and you will be responsible to pay the copay.
  • In both situations, the copays associated to the medication in the program will not count towards your deductible or out of pocket maximums.
SaveOn SP Medications

The prescription drugs included in the SaveonSP program are classified as Non-Essential Health Benefits under the Affordable Care Act.  This means that payments will not apply toward your out of pocket costs. The medications and associated copays included in this program are subject to plan clinical rules and subject to change. 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact SaveonSP at 1-800-683-1074
Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern

To change your prescriptions to mail order, log into your Premera account and click on "prescriptions" in the tool bar at the top and "manage prescriptions" in the drop down. On the next page under "Express Scripts" click on the link "order and refill" and follow the directions to change your prescriptions to mail order. 

The pharmacy benefit is included in the medical benefit. If you are enrolled in a medical plan, you are automatically enrolled in the corresponding pharmacy plan. Please review the medical webpage to review the biweekly premiums for your medical benefit and to understand the arrears process.

UA has several resources available to employees who need assistance. Review the options below to be sure you are directing your questions correctly. When in doubt, please email ua-benefits@alaska.edu and we will be sure to direct you. ​

UA Benefits Team | ua-benefits@alaska.edu or Meet with Us

  • Need help submitting a form or providing documentation for a dependent?
  • Want confirmation of your coverage begin and end dates?
  • Want to set up a quick zoom for some basic questions? 

Premera | Call the number on the back of your ID card

  • Having issues logging into the premera portal?
  • Wanting to confirm prior authorization for a certain service?
  • Want to enroll in electronic Explanation of Benefits (eEOBs)?

Preventive Medications

  • Premera | Call the number on the back of your ID card

Maintenance Medications

  • Premera | Call the number on the back of your ID card

Specialty Medications

  • Accredo (Express-Scripts) | 1-800-689-6592
  • SaveonSP | 1-800-683-1074

TouchCare

  • Need help understanding prescription copays vs co-insurance?
  • Need help determining what plan works best for you and your family? 
  • Need help finding a provider or doing price comparisons?
  • Received a bill that you think may be incorrect?