| Important News on Medication Switching Issue
Below is a copy of a letter Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa sent to their members taking Topamax, Keppra, and Lamictal. The letter indicates "Current literature regarding antiepileptic drugs indicates that existing users of brand name medications who switch to generic name medications after being on brand name medication may experience epileptic events requiring medical care." As such Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa has revised their policy so that members do not have to pay the difference between brand name and the generic for the above listed medications. Further, they have implemented the change retroactive to April 1, 2009 and sent members a refund check for the cost difference over this seven month period. We would like to express our appreciation to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa for addressing the evidence showing an elevated risk for patients who switch and placing patient safety as a priority ahead of profit. We hope that other insurance companies will follow their lead.
Also below is a letter of appreciation to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa from Eric Hargis, President & CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation.
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Letter from Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
Eric Hargis' Letter to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
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