Each Prescription Drug Plan will have a list of drugs that they will help pay for if you sign up for that plan. This list is called a formulary. There are certain rules for types of drugs that must be on any Prescription Drug Plan formulary. The United States Pharmacopeia has identified 146 different types of drugs for Prescription Drug Plans. Each plan must have 2 drugs from each of these types. They also must include the majority of antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals (HIV drugs), immunosuppressants, and antineoplastics (cancer drugs).
They cannot have barbiturates, benzodiazepines, valium, xanax, non-prescription drugs, weight regulation drugs, or hair loss drugs. The Prescription Drug Plans will not cover drugs that are covered under Medicare Parts A and B.
The drug plans can change the drugs that are on their list as long as they give 60 days notice. If you are on Medi-Cal and Medicare, you are allowed to change plans every month. If you are not on Medi-Cal and Medicare, you can only switch drug plans once a year.
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