The Edge

Members and caregivers who live with chronic conditions need not feel alone. Diplomat’s Empower Ecosystem is a robust, online resource that moves beyond medication to provide assistance, camaraderie and support during challenging health circumstances. Articles, videos and tips help with the daily issues that chronic health conditions can bring. Preserving fertility during chemotherapy. Finding the right wig afterward. Making a weighted blanket to use during treatments. Helping a child who is going through chemo.

Members can explore a wealth of information in the ecosystem to find answers on nutrition, medications, pain management, mental health and caregiver support. While most of the content is readily available to everyone, a few sections are reserved only for patients. An on-staff nutritionist provides web content and individual consultation to Diplomat patients who need it. “Excuse cards” are popular, outlining condition-related dietary restrictions. Patients share these cards when dining out or before attending a dinner party to let others know what foods they can and cannot enjoy – and why.

The Empower Ecosystem is constantly evolving and expanding with new content and tools. We’re partnering with companies that can offer members helpful services and creating communities for support. Members can sign up for the Empower newsletter to have all the latest updates delivered to their inboxes.

For clients, this means your members feel more connected, all while staying adherent, managing pain levels and addressing symptoms in order to live their best lives. Take a bite out of our Holiday Cookbook from the Empower Ecosystem.

Management of drug formularies is one of the key PBM services we provide health plans and plan sponsors. Our formulary management process is value-based, with careful consideration given to what drugs are the most safe, clinically appropriate and cost-effective options for members. These decisions are reflected in all of our CastiaRx formularies.

In preparation for the 2020 benefit year, our formularies have been updated to maximize their effectiveness and savings for clients and members. As part of this routine activity, we look at your member population to identify any individuals who may experience a negative change – commonly referenced as a disruption. Typically, only a small percentage of members experience a “disruption” due to formulary updates.

We want to equip members to make the best choices. When members are negatively impacted, we notify them in advance and give them medication alternatives. Proactive disruption letters allow members time to discuss any changes related to their medications with their doctor. With our digital Member Center, members can easily look up any drug to reveal its formulary status – or find alternatives to save money. It’s a handy tool for any visit to the doctor or pharmacy. Keep in mind the updated formulary won’t be reflected until January 1.

Formulary changes generally involve tier placement of generics that are new to the market, changes related to medications that offer no clinical advantage over existing drugs and decisions around brand drugs that prove to be more cost-effective than expensive, new generics. Updates to the CastiaRx formularies will be posted to CastiaRx.com/formularies next month.

Our January 1 update helps your plan stay on top of the latest industry changes and capture savings opportunities. If you have formulary questions, please contact your account manager.

Your members asked and we delivered! Online credit card payment is now available for home delivery refills. When placing orders to refill their medications, members have the option to pay online with a credit or debit card, call in a check or mail their payment.

This new and secure feature uses advanced security including token and encryption to protect their information. It’s just one of the ways we use technology to provide your members with the speed and service they expect.

Today’s consumer is more connected than ever, using digital technology in nearly every aspect of daily life. And healthcare is no exception – 75% of consumers say technology is important to managing their health. That is why we’ve spent 2019 honing in on their online experience to provide valuable, time-saving enhancements.

CastiaRx is geared up to help you fight the flu at your organization or workplace. An annual, seasonal flu vaccination is a highly effective way to help protect against flu. It’s particularly important for people who are at high risk of developing serious flu complications.

Share the facts with our flu-fighting flyer, Don’t let the flu get you!

Your members should get a flu vaccine before the viruses begin spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get vaccinated early in the fall, before flu season begins. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccinations will be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

Now is the time to share the news about avoiding the flu. According to the CDC, flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. During 2017-18, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.1 million influenza illnesses and 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits – positively impacting productivity and attendance at work! With an estimated 17 million missed workdays due to flu, and $7 billion in lost productivity, the proactive step of a flu vaccine is a win-win.