Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Selects Prime Therapeutics for Pharmacy Benefits Management Services

Blues-owned Prime will replace CVS Caremark

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) announced today that it chose Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) to provide pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to its non-Medicare customers beginning April 1, 2013. CVS Caremark currently provides PBM services for Horizon BCBSNJ. Prime, owned by 13 Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, serves 20 million customers across the United States and has a long history of providing a full range of pharmacy benefit management services for health insurance companies.

“Horizon is committed to delivering to our members the most competitive prescription drug prices, top quality services and flexibility in drug formulary options”

Following an extensive proposal process, Horizon BCBSNJ selected Prime due to the company’s superior quality outcomes for patients, flexibility regarding products and services, and the ability to provide the lowest net-cost. Through the proposal process, Prime demonstrated that it shared Horizon BCBSNJ’s commitment to providing excellent service to its customers.

“Horizon is committed to delivering to our members the most competitive prescription drug prices, top quality services and flexibility in drug formulary options,” said Margaret M. Johnson, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Horizon BCBSNJ. “Prime has a strong track record of providing integrated medical and pharmacy programs that focus on overall health and wellness. Prime shares our commitment to providing an excellent customer experience and we believe the economies they can deliver will help contain prescription costs,” she said.

“Prime welcomes Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s business. Our practical, customer-focused approach continues to resonate with like-minded health plans seeking a new solution for providing customers with easy access to affordable medicines in today’s health care environment,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Elliott. “The establishment of this relationship provides further proof of the value of an integrated approach in providing the highest quality of care and better outcomes for customers.”

Horizon BCBSNJ members will continue to have access to CVS pharmacies now and after the transition of PBM services to Prime Therapeutics on April 1, 2013.

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer, is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health services corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving 3.6 million members with headquarters in Newark and offices in Wall, Mt. Laurel, and West Trenton. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com.

About Prime Therapeutics:

Prime Therapeutics is a pharmacy benefit management company dedicated to providing innovative, clinically-based, cost-effective pharmacy solutions for clients and members. Providing pharmacy benefit services nationwide to 20 million covered lives, its client base includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, employer and union groups, and third-party administrators. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, Prime Therapeutics is collectively owned by 13 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those Plans. Learn more at www.primetherapeutics.com.