Prescription Drug Benefit

Following the closing of the MIT Medical pharmacy in early 2022, MIT retained MIT Medical pharmacy copays of $5 (generic) and $15 (brand) through December 31, 2022. As of January 1, 2023, employees will pay the Express Scripts in-network copays of $8 (generic) and $25 (brand) at retail pharmacies.

Health plan members can purchase 90-day supplies of eligible medications at CVS pharmacies. Please see the copay rates listed below. 

Most prescription medications are also available by mail order through Express Scripts with no additional charge for shipping. You can purchase up to a 90-day supply for many of these medications. You will be required to pay the 90-day supply copay if you are purchasing between a 31 and 90 day supply, unless limited by drug dispensing rules. The only exception on this is for certain specialty drugs.

Some of your prescriptions may already be available through Express Scripts mail order — visit Express Scripts and click on the "prescriptions" tab to find out. Transfer additional prescriptions to Express Scripts by contacting your prescribing clinician; ask the clinician to send an up-to-90-day prescription to Express Scripts.

You are eligible for the Prescription Drug Benefit if you are paid by MIT, are appointed to work at MIT for at least three months, work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule, and are enrolled in either of MIT's health plans.

Who is eligible

• you have been appointed—and are currently employed—to work at MIT for at least three months
• you work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule
• you are paid by MIT
• you are enrolled in a Health Plan through MIT

Who is not eligible

• contractor
• affiliate
• teaching or research assistant
• honorary lecturer
• summer appointment
• international visiting student
• member of the armed services assigned to MIT
• family member who is not employed by MIT
• work-study student
• paid by MITemps

Members of collective bargaining units

All the plan provisions are subject to the terms of your collective bargaining agreement.

• Tier 1 drugs—Generic
  Medications that have exactly the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts. Your costs will be lowest when you choose Tier 1 drugs.
• Tier 2 drugs—Preferred brand
  Brand-name medications that are on a list of preferred drugs (also referred to as the Preferred Formulary List available below) that have been approved by a panel of doctors and pharmacists as safe, effective, and less expensive than other alternatives. You will pay more for Tier 2 drugs than Tier 1 drugs.
• Tier 3 drugs—Non-preferred brand
  Brand-name medications that have not been identified as an effective, lower cost medication on the formulary list. Your costs will be highest when you choose Tier 3 drugs.

FDA-approved birth control prescription drugs and devices are covered with no co-pay.

Use the table below to determine your cost or copayment.

MIT Prescription Drug Costs for 2023