This year your prescription plan has three levels of copay. Your copay is lowest when you get a generic drug. With a preferred brand name drug, you pay more. Your copay is highest for a non-preferred brand name drug not on the formulary. Non-preferred brand name drugs are still available to you but at the higher copay.
Cost becomes a determining factor in selection only when all other standards have been met.
A team of physicians and pharmacists meets regularly to review and update the formulary. As the FDA approves new drugs, this team considers additions and deletions that are needed to the formulary. Formularies are mailed to participating physicians. Participating pharmacists have online access to the formulary. My doctor has prescribed a drug for me that is not a generic or preferred brand name .