What is TigerMeds?

TigerMeds is a new employee benefit that is being offered by Auburn University for all employees and dependents who are enrolled in the AU health insurance plan.  This is a voluntary program.

If employees choose to get their medications filled through the AU Employee Pharmacy, then AU has agreed to pay the full bill for most generic medications.  Thus, the $10 co-pay for Tier-1 generics would be waived and our employees would receive most generic medications FREE!

What is the AU Employee Pharmacy?

The AU Employee Pharmacy is owned and operated by Auburn University through the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy.  It is located at #2155 Walker Building.  Directions and a map can be found on the TigerMeds website at www.auburn.edu/tigermeds .

Who is eligible for this service?

All Auburn University (AU) employees and dependents who are covered by the AU health insurance program that is administered by BC/BS of Alabama can participate in TigerMeds.  The BC/BS group numbers for the Auburn University insurance plan are #37655 or #02520.  The group number is listed on the bottom left field on the front of your BC/BS health insurance card.

What if I am an AU employee, but I am insured by another health insurance plan other than AU BC/BS?

Any Auburn University employee, dependent, or AU retiree can use the AU Employee Pharmacy regardless of insurance coverage.  The pharmacy accepts several insurance plans.  However, you will pay the same co-pay that would be paid at any other pharmacy.

Even if you are not insured through AU, AU Employee Pharmacy may help you save time and money by:

• Offering cost-savings on some over the counter medications.

• Providing competitive pricing on some medications that are not covered by insurance (cash items).

• Providing medication consultation to help you minimize your out-of-pocket medication costs.

• Providing free on-campus delivery.

• Providing refill reminders.

• Offering free blood pressure checks and other health and wellness services

How does TigerMeds save AU money on healthcare costs?

Auburn University owns and operates the AU Employee Pharmacy through the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy.  Because this pharmacy is owned by AU, the AU Employee Pharmacy can purchase medications on a special state government contract.  This can result in a significant savings on medication costs for AU.

So, the more employee and dependent prescriptions that are processed through the AU Employee Pharmacy, the more money AU will save on the AU medication bill.  AU administration has agreed to pass most of this savings on to the employees by offering a financial incentive for employees and dependents to use the pharmacy by waiving the $10 co-pay for most Tier-1 generic medications.  Therefore, AU is paying more of the medication bill if an employee chooses to use the AU Employee Pharmacy.  This is possible due to the savings on the medication costs.

How does TigerMeds save the employee money on medications?

The most obvious way that the employee will save money is the waived $10 co-pay for most Tier-1 generic medications.

Also, if employees are taking medications in the 2^nd Tier (preferred brand name medications, $25 co-pay) or 3^rd Tier (non-preferred brand name medications, $50 co-pay), the pharmacists at the AU Employee Pharmacy might be able to help identify generic alternatives that are just as effective that could be used instead of the more expensive medications.  The AU pharmacists can provide one-on-one consultation to assist you with reviewing each of your medications; help you identify opportunities for savings; and can coordinate care with your doctor.

There is one final way that TigerMeds will save you money.  Auburn University is a self-insured employer, which means that our insurance premiums are used to pay the healthcare bills for all AU employees and dependents.  Over the past decade, we have seen a gradual increase in our bills for healthcare services and medications.  When these bills increase, our premiums increase.  So, every effort we can make to reduce our medication bill is very important.  Every dollar that we save on medications helps us control spending and decreases the risk that our healthcare insurance premiums will continue to increase. 

Will TigerMeds be available to AUM employees and offsite faculty and staff?

Yes, we are working to make TigerMeds available to every AU employee and dependent who is interested in participating! 

This benefit starts on November 10, 2008.  We are beginning the launch on the AU main campus.  We will then expand to AUM employees, and then to AU employees who work off-site in the state of Alabama.  We will be delivering medications on a regular basis to AUM, and we have a mail order license so we can serve our off-campus employees and dependents.

Is the AU Employee Pharmacy open to the general public?

No.  Because we are using a special state contract to purchase these medications, we can only serve our employees, their dependents, our retirees, and our students.  Therefore, we cannot serve the general public.  We can fill prescriptions for any employee, dependent, or AU retiree through the AU Employee Pharmacy, and we fill prescriptions for students through the AU Student Health Pharmacy which is located in the AU Medical Clinic on campus.

What if I need a prescription filled when the AU Employee Pharmacy is closed?

After you enroll in the TigerMeds program, your insurance card will still work at other pharmacies, which allows you to use your BC/BS card at other pharmacies when traveling; in case of emergencies; or other special circumstances when you cannot conveniently access the AU Employee Pharmacy.  However, the co-pay for generic drugs will only be waived at the AU Employee Pharmacy.

What are the hours of the AU Employee Pharmacy?

Our hours are posted on the TigerMeds website at www.auburn.edu/tigermeds , and will be frequently updated.  We will have expanded hours during the launch of the TigerMeds program and we will be adjusting our hours based on customer demand. 

We have a pharmacist on call after hours for the AU Employee Pharmacy to serve our patients.  This pharmacist can be reached by dialing (334) 750-1048.