BCBSNC EXTENDS GENERIC COPAY WAIVERS

A temporary program designed to encourage patients to ask pharmacistsfor lower-cost generic drugs will continue, at least through the end of this year.The plan, initiated by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC)on February 1, 2006, waives copayment requirements for members whochoose generic drugs when filling their prescriptions.

Although the program had been scheduled to terminate at the end of July,officials at the health insurance plan agreed to extend the copay waiversthrough the remainder of 2006. Between February and April of this year, NorthCarolina citizens participating in the program saved $20 million in copays byrequesting generics, officials said.