The stigma against generic prescription drugs continues to wane as consumers become more educated about their similarities to brand name medications and cost-saving advantages. Employee Benefits News cites a CVS Caremark report that found the generic dispensing rate rose from 65.1% in 2008 to 68.2% last year, despite a lack of significant drug introductions during that period.

Such information is especially noteworthy as it allows employers to save money without shifting costs to employees. Greater acceptance of generics through patient education and doctor outreach help to slow prescription plan premium growth, which in recent years has seen annual double-digit cost increases.

MedBen offers an especially useful tool for employers who want encourage their prescription plan members to be “smart shoppers". Our RxEOB website, available to clients using Pharmacy Data Management (PDMI) as their PBM, allows members to easily compare their current medication prices with equivalent generic drugs. To visit RxEOB, simply go to www.medben.com and click on “Online Client Services”, select “MedBen Access”, log in and click on “My Rx”.