Prime Therapeutics launches website to help people understand how to shop on health insurance exchanges for a health plan that also meets their pharmacy needs

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 55 million Americans are uninsured, of which an estimated 7 million people are expected to begin buying health insurance this fall as a result of new marketplace exchanges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).¹ That's why pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Prime Therapeutics (Prime) has launched a new website, PrimeHelps.com, to help people understand their choices and find a health plan that includes pharmacy coverage to best meet their needs.

PrimeHelps.com supports the efforts of many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, by helping explain the importance of pharmacy benefits as part of an overall health care plan selection. As more health care decisions are placed in the hands of individual consumers – many of whom don't have prior experience shopping for health care benefits or services – they need reliable and easy sources of information. PrimeHelps.com can help make choosing a plan easier by providing information to help people understand health benefits and the shopping process.

"The way we buy health care is changing rapidly and pharmacy benefits are a key piece of the total health care decision," said Michael Showalter, Prime's chief marketing officer. "Prime is a leading PBM nationally, serving more than 21 million members. In the individual market space, we're second nationally. After the health care reform law goes into effect, Prime could potentially serve an additional million individual members making it the largest PBM in the individual market space. With this growth, we're committed to assisting our current and future members in making it easy to find the best health coverage for them at an affordable price." 

Helping people understand their health care options is extremely important. According to a 2010 U.S. Health and Human Services report on health literacy, nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the health information that they currently receive.² Prime's new website features an introductory video, a questions-and-answers section to help people understand pharmacy benefits, and a dictionary explaining terms and phrases in friendly, simple-to-understand language. If a person is ready to explore plan options, the site directs them to the appropriate Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan.

PrimeHelps.com was designed to be accessible to a broad audience. Content on the site is easy to understand, available in Spanish as well as English, and viewable on smartphones.

"Finding a health plan doesn't have to be frustrating or difficult," said Ingrid Lindberg, Prime's chief customer experience officer.  "At Prime, every person matters.  We're committed to using clear and simple language to help make it easier for people to shop for pharmacy benefits and a health plan that fits their needs and pocket books. Our goal is to help people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well."

More enhancements to the website are planned prior to October 1, 2013 and the start of "open enrollment" – when individuals can enroll in their plan for 2014. Consumers are encouraged to check back September 1, 2013 to find decision-making tools that will guide people to the right plan for them, a drug pricing tool and help finding a pharmacy.

About Prime Therapeutics
Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) helps people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well. Prime manages pharmacy benefits for health plans, employers, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. The company processes claims and delivers medicine to members, offering clinical services for people with complex medical conditions. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Prime serves more than 21 million* people. It is collectively owned by 13 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those plans. Prime has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation.   

For more information, visit www.primetherapeutics.com  or follow @Prime_PBM on Twitter.

*Effective July 1, 2013. 

1. Effects on Health Insurance and the Federal Budget for the Insurance Coverage Provisions in the Affordable Care Act—May 2013 Baseline, published May 14, 2013 in Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/44190_EffectsAffordableCareActHealthInsuranceCoverage_2.pdf
2. National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, published June 28, 2010 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Retrieved June 25, 2013 from http://www.health.gov/communication/hlactionplan/

SOURCE Prime Therapeutics