UHC’s Half Tablet Program

1. UHC’s Half Tablet Program UnitedHealthcare Healing Health care. Together. This is a voluntary program. Not all medications are appropriate for tablet splitting. The medications in this program have been selected because they meet the requirements deemed appropriate for splitting. Consult your doctor before splitting any prescription tablets. Only split tablets with a device designed specifically for that purpose. Follow the instructions that are provided with your tablet splitter. Content source courtesy of UnitedHealthcare Half Tablet Program

2. Prescription Take one tablet by mouth once a day ‘Medication’ 20 mg tablet Qty: 30 Prescription Take one tablet by mouth once a day ‘Medication’ 40 mg tablet Qty: 15 Same Bottle. Same medication. Same pharmacy. So why does one cost 50% less?

3. Introducing the Half Tablet ProgramThe easy way to cut your prescription medication costs in half. You can dramatically lower your costs on selected medication that you take on a regular basis by using higher dosage tablets and splitting them in half.

4. Want to save on prescription medication costs?Here is how it works: • Your doctor writes a new prescription for twice the dosage and half the quantity, noting your intent to split the tablets on your prescription. • Fill the prescription, automatically paying only half your usual copayment. • Split each tablet and take half – you get your usual supply for half the cost. With the Half Tablet Program, you take the same medication at the same dosage, yet save money – up to hundreds of dollars every year – on medications you take on a regular basis.

5. It is EXTREMELY important that you speak to your physician before splitting any of your medications. To ensure that the ‘half tablet’ program is right for you, PLEASE talk to your physician first.

6. What medications are available for tablet splitting in the Half Tablet Program? The list of medications available for tablet splitting includes: The list of medications available for tablet splitting does not include all medications within a therapeutic class; only those medications determined to be appropriate for splitting are included. Some of the tablets included in this program are not scored or designed specifically to be split. However, with the use of a tablet splitter, these medications may be appropriately divided. As is true with all medical decisions, you and your doctor will need to determine if the Half Tablet Program is right for you. Medications in the program will be reviewed periodically; additional medications may be included as appropriate.

7. What are the criteria for determining which medications are included in the program? The UHC National Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee approved the following clinical criteria to determine prescription product inclusion in the Half Tablet Program.

8. Medications with a wide margin of safety so that minimal differences in tablet sizes will not result in either under dosing or overdosing • Tablets that can be split relatively evenly without crumbling • Medications that will remain stable after splitting • Medications must be available in “double” strengths that are comparably priced

9. Medications with the following criteria are among those EXCLUDED from the program. • Enteric-coated tablets • Capsules, liquids, topical medications • Un-scored extended-release tablets • Combination tablets in which the amount of one active ingredient changes from one tablet to the next, but the amount of the other ingredient does not

10. How does the program work? If you fill a prescription for a medication included in the Half Tablet Program you will: • Receive a notification letter in the mail informing you of the Half Tablet Program. • Discuss the Half Tablet Program with your doctor. You and your doctor decide together if the program is appropriate for you.

11. How do I get my free tablet splitter? United Healthcare will provide you with one free tablet splitter by mail. Notification letters will contain a Participant Code which is required when ordering the tablet by visiting www.halftablet.com or call 1-877-471-1860 If you prefer, you may also purchase a tablet splitter at your local pharmacy, at your own expense. It is not covered by your United Healthcare pharmacy benefit.

12. What if you don’t have a Participant Code? If you haven’t received a letter, lost your letter, or do not have a Participant Code you can still receive one free tablet splitter by calling 1-877-471-1860. You will be asked to provide your UHC member number and your eligibility in the program will be verified.

13. What if I DON’T want to participate in the program? Participation in the program is entirely voluntary. If you do not wish to participate in the program, you may simply continue to fill your prescription as usual, taking the same strength. No action is required if you choose not to participate. If you try the Half Tablet Program and decide that it is not right for you, you may have your doctor write a new prescription for the old strength level and go back to your usual co-pay.

14. VPSB Wellness Department Working at Keeping You Healthy and Happy! 337-898-5772